Transverse Waves Quiz

Consider the four different transverse waves in the image. Assume the waves are all traveling at the same speed and read the paragraph. Wave A has the same frequency as wave ____. Wave B has the same amplitude as wave ________. The wave with the shortest wavelength is wave __________. Which letters, in order of appearance, best complete the sentences?

• C; A; D

• B; C; D

• C; A; B

• B; A; D

If the speed of a wave is constant, what happens to the frequency of the wave if the wavelength increases?

• The frequency increases then decreases.

• The frequency remains constant.

• The frequency increases.

• The frequency decreases.

Zhang throws a small rock and a big rock into a lake and notices the different waves that form on the water’s surface. The big rock made taller waves but the distance between the waves was the same as the little rocks. What did an increase in the size of the rock change about the wave?

• It made the wavelength shorter but did not change the amplitude.

• It made the wavelength longer but did not change the amplitude.

• It made the amplitude smaller but did not change the wavelength.

• It made the amplitude bigger but did not change the wavelength.

Consider the difference between S-waves and P-waves. Engineers have designed "earthquake-safe" buildings that rest on giant cylinders that allow the whole building to roll side to side as a seismic wave passes. Which type of wave does a design feature like this prevent damage from and why?

• P-waves, because they transfer matter to different locations as the wave passes through the ground.

• S-waves, because they cause the ground to move up and down perpendicular to the direction the wave is moving.

• S-waves, because they only transfer energy, not matter, through the ground.

• P-waves, because they cause the ground to move back and forth parallel to the direction the wave is moving.

What is the relationship between waves, matter, and energy? Use seismic waves as evidence to support your answer.

• Waves transfer energy through matter without transferring matter itself, as seen in seismic waves that travel through the Earth.

• Waves transfer matter and energy simultaneously, as seen in seismic waves that move both through and with the Earth.

• Waves do not interact with matter or energy, as seen in seismic waves that are unaffected by the Earth's composition.

• Waves only transfer energy in a vacuum, as seen in seismic waves that cannot travel through the Earth.

Earthquake damage is often caused by a large amount of energy transferred by waves. What combination of amplitude, frequency, and wavelength would cause an S-wave or P-wave to transfer a lot of energy?

• High amplitude, high frequency, short wavelength

• Low amplitude, low frequency, long wavelength

• High amplitude, low frequency, long wavelength

• Low amplitude, high frequency, short wavelength

All waves carry ________ as they travel from one place to another.

• matter

• space

• energy

• water

What property of the wave is represented by the letter "A"?

• amplitude

• crest

• trough

• wavelength

What part is represented by the blue lines?

• Crest
• Resting Point
• Wavelength
• Amplitude

This illustration shows three different waves traveling through the same medium. 

• The waves travel at different speeds.
  
• The waves have different wavelengths.
  
• The waves carry different amounts of energy.
  
• The waves are a different distance from the source.