HSPS Sound and Light Waves Quiz

A person produces two sound waves with a flute, one immediately after the other. Both sound waves have the same pitch, but the second sound is louder. Which of the following properties is greater in the second sound wave?

• Frequency

• Amplitude

• Wavelength

• Wave speed in the air

The amplitude of a sound wave is to loudness as the amplitude of a light wave is to

• Frequency

• Brightness

• Color

• Speed

Sam looks at the electromagnetic spectrum. After evaluating the electromagnetic spectrum, Sam accurately noted that as the wavelength

• Increases, the frequency remains constant.

• Decreases, the frequency decreases.

• Increases, the frequency increases.

• Decreases, the frequency increases.

The diagram below shows two pulses approaching each other in a uniform medium. Which of the following diagrams best represents the superposition of the two pulses?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Which of the following is true if a sound wave travels from a solid to a gaseous medium?

• The wavelength will increase as it moves from a solid to a gas.

• The wavelength will decrease as it moves from a solid to a gas.

• The wavelength will stay the same as it moves from a solid to a gas.

• The wavelength will disappear as it moves from a solid to a gas.

The table shows the speed of sound at different air temperatures. Which statement best explains how air temperature affects the speed of sound?

• The speed of sound decreases as air temperature increases because molecules vibrate faster in cooler air.

• The speed of sound decreases as air temperature increases because molecules vibrate slower in cooler air.

• The speed of sound increases as air temperature increases because molecules vibrate faster in warmer air.

• The speed of sound increases as air temperature increases because molecules vibrate slower in warmer air.

Read the passage "Baseball" in the box below.

Mitchell watched as his son stepped up to bat during his championship baseball game. After the pitch, he saw the ball fly from the bat and then heard the crack of the bat a moment later.

Which of the following explains why there was a difference between seeing the ball fly and hearing the bat connect with the ball?

• The light waves traveled with a faster speed in the air, allowing the ball to be seen first, while the sound waves moved with a slower speed in the air, causing the sound to be delayed.

• The light waves traveled with a lower frequency in the air, allowing the ball to be seen first, while the sound waves moved with a higher frequency in the air, causing the sound to be delayed.

• The light waves traveled in a straight path, allowing the ball to be seen first, and the sound waves bounced up into the sky and had to be reflected back, causing the sound to be delayed.

• The light waves traveled back from the sky, gaining energy, and the sound waves traveled in a straight line, losing energy, causing the sound to be delayed.

A train horn emits a sound wave that has a constant frequency of 580 hertz. Which possible frequency is detected by an observer as the train recedes?

• 570 Hertz

• 580 Hertz

• 590 Hertz

• 600 Hertz

Elzie is watching cars race at the local track. She is sitting in the stands at the north end. How do the sound waves of the race cars change as they approach her section of the track?

• The pitch changes from low to high.

• The pitch changes from high to low.

• The speed of the waves increase.

• The speed of the waves decrease.

Which of the following best explains what happens when two waves that are transferring energy toward each other finally meet?

• The energy of each wave bypasses the other without any effect on the wave.

• The energy of each wave compounds and makes one bigger wave.

• The energy of each wave cancels the other out to destroy the wave.

• The energy of each wave bounces off of each other and reverses direction.