Harmonic Motion/Nature of Waves Quiz Review

Which of the following is not an example of approximate simple harmonic motion?

• a ball bouncing on the floor

• a child swinging on a swing

• a piano wire that has been struck

• a car's radio antenna waving back and forth

Answer explanation

The ball bouncing on the floor is not an example of approximate simple harmonic motion because it does not exhibit the periodic motion characteristic of simple harmonic motion.

As a pendulum gets longer, what happens to the period?

• doesn't change

• decreases

• increases

Answer explanation

As the pendulum gets longer, the period increases. This is because the longer length results in a slower swing, leading to a longer period.

Which of these does not affect the period of a pendulum?

• length

• gravity

• mass

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'mass' because it does not affect the period of a pendulum, unlike length and gravity.

The period of an ocean wave is 10 s. What is its frequency?

• 10 cycle/second

• 1 cycle/second

• 0.5 cycle/second

• 0.1 cycle/second

Answer explanation

Frequency is the reciprocal of the period, so the frequency of the ocean wave is 1/10 = 0.1 cycle/second.

An oscillating fan is an example of ...

• Linear motion

• Harmonic motion

Answer explanation

An oscillating fan is an example of harmonic motion because it moves back and forth in a repetitive pattern around a central point.

Waves transfer (a)  

• Matter

• Molecules

• Energy

• Atoms

Answer explanation

Waves transfer energy, not matter, molecules, or atoms. Energy is the correct choice as waves propagate through a medium by transferring energy.

What does point C represent?

• Amplitude

• Trough

• Crest

• Wavelength

Answer explanation

Point C represents the crest, which is the highest point of a wave. It is the peak of the wave's amplitude.

What does point A represent?

• Amplitude

• Wavelength

• Crest

• Trough

Answer explanation

Point A represents the trough, which is the lowest point on a wave.

What are the two types of waves?

• longitudinal and transverse

• sound and light

Answer explanation

The two types of waves are longitudinal and transverse, as they are the correct options provided in the answer choices.

What is frequency measured in?

• Milliseconds

• Miles

• Hertz

• Kilograms

Answer explanation

Frequency is measured in Hertz, which is the correct choice out of the given options.