2024 WAVES Review

A sound wave from a speaker travels through air as compressions and rarefactions. What statement describes the sound wave?

• Transverse wave in which the particles of the wave move in a direction parallel to the wave motion

• Longitudinal wave in which the particles of the wave move in a direction parallel to the wave motion

• Transverse wave in which the particles of the wave move in a direction perpendicular to the wave motion

• Longitudinal wave in which the particles of the wave move in a direction perpendicular to the wave motion

Answer explanation

The sound wave from a speaker is a longitudinal wave, where air particles vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave motion, creating compressions and rarefactions. Thus, the correct choice is the longitudinal wave description.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-1

This illustration shows a sound wave traveling from a tuning fork. How can you find the wavelength?

• By comparing the width of the bands at X and Y

• By comparing the number of particles at X and Y

• By measuring the distance between two points labeled X

• By measuring the distance between a point labeled X and a point labeled Y

Answer explanation

The wavelength can be found by measuring the distance between two points labeled X, as this distance represents one complete cycle of the wave. This is the correct method to determine the wavelength.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-2

What parts of the wave are labeled X and Y?

• X represents the compressions; Y represents the rarefactions

• X represents the rarefactions; Y represents the compressions

• X represents the compressions; Y represents the wavelength

• X represents the rarefactions; Y represents the wavelength

Answer explanation

In a wave, compressions are the regions where particles are close together, while rarefactions are where they are spread apart. Therefore, X represents the compressions and Y represents the rarefactions.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-1

Why are S-waves classified as transverse waves?

• Particles move perpendicular to the direction the wave travels.

• Particles move parallel to the direction the wave travels.

• Particles move both perpendicular and parallel to the direction the wave travels.

• Particles do not move.

Answer explanation

S-waves are classified as transverse waves because the particles move perpendicular to the direction the wave travels. This means that as the wave moves forward, the particles oscillate side to side, creating a transverse motion.

Select the four types of medium that a mechanical wave can travel through.

• Air

• Metal bar

• Rope

• Vacuum (outer space, no atmosphere)

• Water

Answer explanation

Mechanical waves require a medium to travel through. Air, metal bars, ropes, and water are all materials that can transmit mechanical waves, while a vacuum cannot, as it lacks matter.

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A longitudinal wave can travel through what?

• Solids only

• Liquids only

• Gas, liquids, and solids

• Gas and a vacuum only

Answer explanation

A longitudinal wave, like a sound wave, can travel through gas, liquids, and solids because it requires a medium to propagate. It cannot travel through a vacuum, making 'Gas, liquids, and solids' the correct choice.

Which statement correctly describes a similarity between transverse and longitudinal waves?

• The amplitude of the transverse wave is the same as the amplitude of a longitudinal wave.

• The compression in the transverse wave is equal to the crests in the longitudinal wave.

• The rarefaction zones in the compression wave and troughs in the longitudinal waves are the same.

• The space between the compressions in the longitudinal wave and the crests in the transverse wave are the same.

Answer explanation

The correct choice states that the space between compressions in a longitudinal wave corresponds to the crests in a transverse wave, highlighting a similarity in their wave structures despite their different orientations.

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NGSS.MS-PS4-1

This illustration shows three waves in the same medium. How are the waves different?

• 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.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is that the waves have different wavelengths. Wavelength is a key characteristic that differentiates waves, affecting their speed and energy, but the question specifically asks about their differences in wavelength.

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As wave frequency increases, what happens to wave energy?

• Stays constant

• Is unaffected

• Increases

• Decreases

Answer explanation

As wave frequency increases, the energy carried by the wave also increases. This is because energy is directly proportional to frequency, making 'Increases' the correct choice.

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NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Four wave pulses are moving to the right through a rope. Which statement correctly compares their speed and energy?

• All have the same speed; A has the highest energy.

• All have the same speed; C has the highest energy.

• All have different speeds; A has the highest energy.

• All have different speeds; C has the highest energy.

Answer explanation

All wave pulses travel at the same speed in a uniform medium. Pulse C has the highest energy, typically indicated by its amplitude or shape, making the correct choice: 'All the pulses have the same wave speed; C has the highest energy.'

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