The graphs above show waves W and X. Both waves were produced in the same medium and are moving at the same speed. Which of the following statements describes another property of these waves?

• Wave W has a smaller amplitude than wave X

• Wave W has a lower frequency than wave X

• Wave W has a greater amplitude than wave X

• Wave W has a shorter wavelength than wave X

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NGSS.HS-PS4-1

In the picture above, two mechanical waves are shown. Which wave has the most energy?

• The top wave because it has a smaller amplitude

• The bottom wave because it has a higher amplitude

• The top wave because it has a higher frequency

• Both waves have the same amount of energy

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NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Which frequency of electromagnetic wave has a higher amount of energy?

• 12 Hz

• 345 Hz

• 6780 Hz

• Energy for all electromagnetic waves is equal

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NGSS.HS-PS4-4

A radio wave is sent from a television station to a satellite in orbit around the Earth. Why is the radio wave able to reach the satellite as it travels in the vacuum of space?

• Radio waves are electromagnetic waves

• Radio waves are longitudinal waves

• Radio waves are mechanical waves

• Radio waves are sound waves

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NGSS.HS-PS4-3

Which of the following properties makes a light wave different from all mechanical waves?

• A light wave slows down in a vacuum

• A light wave exists as a transverse wave

• A light wave is able to transmit energy

• A light wave can travel without a medium

Which pair of properties apply to both mechanical waves (ex: sound) and electromagnetic waves (ex:light)?

• Both waves carry energy and refract.

• Both waves are longitudinal and carry energy.

• Both waves are transverse and need a medium.

• Both waves carry energy and do not need a medium to travel through.

Which statement describes the frequencies of light the human eye can detect?

• The lowest frequency appears red, and the highest frequency appears violet.

• The lowest frequency appears red, and the highest frequency appears yellow.

• The lowest frequency appears green, and the highest frequency appears violet.

• The lowest frequency appears green, and the highest frequency appears yellow.

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NGSS.HS-PS4-1

When a student listens to music, sound waves propagate from the speaker to her ear. Which of the following is a physical description of this process?

• Matter produced at the speaker travels to the student’s ear.

• Energy is transported from the speaker to the student’s ear.

• Material is transferred from the speaker to the student’s ear.

• Clusters of air molecules are sent from the speaker to the student’s ear.

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NGSS.HS-PS4-1

NGSS.HS-PS4-5

Which of these is an example of the diffraction of a sound wave?

• hearing an echo after yelling into an empty house

• seeing someone speak through binoculars before you hear them

• hearing a teacher talking in the hall while the door is closed through the gap in the bottom

• noise canceling headphones that combine sound waves to reduce the amplitude of an incoming sound

The picture above shows what a straight pipe looks like in a container of water when viewed from the side. What phenomenon causes the pipe to appear as if it is broken in half?

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Diffraction

• Interference