Light and Sound Waves

What is the distance from one compression to the next in a longitudinal wave?

• its amplitude

• its frequency

• its wavelength

Answer explanation

The distance from one compression to the next in a longitudinal wave is its wavelength, not its amplitude or frequency.

If Sophia increases the amplitude of a sound wave, what also increases?

• speed

• energy/volume

• frequency

Answer explanation

When the amplitude of a wave increases, the energy of the wave also increases. Amplitude is directly proportional to the energy of a wave.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

How is wave frequency measured in an experiment?

• wavelengths per meter

• wavelengths per second

• wavelengths per centimeter

Answer explanation

Wave frequency is measured in wavelengths per second, representing the number of complete wave cycles that pass a given point in one second.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

As the frequency of a sound wave increases, which characteristic decreases?

• speed

• amplitude

• wavelength

Answer explanation

When the frequency of a wave increases, the wavelength decreases. This is because wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional in a wave.

In a longitudinal wave on a slinky, where are the particles farthest apart?

• crests

• troughs

• rarefactions

Answer explanation

Particles are farthest apart in rarefactions on a longitudinal wave.

True or False: The frequency of guitar string vibrations is measured in hertz.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The correct unit of measurement for wave frequency is hertz, so the statement is True.

True or False: Different types of waves travel at different speeds at different temperatures.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True because different types of waves, such as sound or light, travel at different speeds depending on the medium they are passing through, which can be affected by temperature.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Madison saw that light waves changed direction and slowed down when moving through different materials. What is this called?

• refraction

• diffraction

• absorption

Answer explanation

When waves slow down and change direction, it is called refraction. Refraction occurs due to a change in the wave's speed as it moves from one medium to another.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Two sound waves combine to form a new wave. What is this called?

• reflection

• diffraction

• interference

Answer explanation

When two waves combine to form a new wave, it is called interference. Interference occurs when the waves overlap and either reinforce or cancel each other out.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-5

In which medium does sound travel fastest?

• air

• ethanol

• rock

• vacuum

Answer explanation

A sound wave will move more quickly in rock compared to air, ethanol, or vacuum due to the higher density and stiffness of rock allowing for faster propagation of the wave.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2