Physics Unit 3 Review

A Mechanical wave moves through a medium, which can be

• a liquid
• a solid
• a gas
• all of the above

Transverse and longitudinal waves both

• have compressions and rarefactions.
• transfer energy through a medium
• move at right angles to the vibration of the medium
• are capable of moving the medium a long distance

Which type of mechanical wave needs a source of energy to produce it?

• a transverse wave
• a longitudinal wave
• a surface wave
• all of the above

Which wave causes the medium to vibrate only in a direction parallel to the wave's motion?

• a transverse wave
• a surface wave
• a longitudinal wave
• none of the above

A disturbance sends ripples across water in a tub. These ripples are an example of a

• rarefaction.
• longitudinal wave.
• compression.
• surface wave.

When a surfer rides an ocean wave on her surfboard, she is actually riding on

• a crest that is toppling over.
• a trough of the wave.
• the rest position of the wave.
• a region of rarefaction.

In an earthquake, a P wave is a longitudinal wave. It moves through soil and rock as a

• wavy line.
• series of faults.
• series of compressions and rarefactions.
• series of crests and troughs.

The Image shows a wave movement during 1 second. What is the frequency of this wave?

• 2 hertz
• 2 meters/second
• 0.5 seconds
• 1 hertz

A period is the length of time it takes for

• a disturbance to start a wave.
• two complete wavelengths to pass a fixed point.
• a wave to travel the length of a rope.
• one complete wavelength to pass a fixed point

To determine the speed of a wave, you would use which of the following formulas?

• speed = frequency x amplitude
• speed = wavelength x frequency
• speed = wavelength x amplitude
• speed = wavelength x period