Intro to Waves

Which of these factors affects how fast a sound wave moves?

• the kind of material it is moving through

• the amplitude of the sound wave’s vibrations

• the wavelength of the disturbance in the medium

• the type of motion that caused the sound wave to form

A crayon placed on a dark driveway in bright sunlight melted into a colorful puddle. What caused the crayon to melt?

• Solar radiation heated the driveway and then heat transferred to the crayon by conduction.

• Solar radiation heated the driveway and then heat transferred to the crayon by radiation.

• Solar convection heated the driveway and then heat transferred to the crayon by radiation.

• Solar convection heated the driveway and then heat transferred to the crayon by conduction.

What do waves carry through objects?

• sound

• light

• energy

• water

The illustration shows a transverse wave.

Which bar measures the wavelength of the wave?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

This chart compares three different types of waves. How do the wave characteristics compare for these waves?

• Sound waves and P-waves are longitudinal waves, while light waves are transverse waves.

• light waves and P-waves are transverse waves, while sound waves are longitudinal waves.

• Sound waves, P-waves, and light waves are all longitudinal waves.

• light waves, P-waves, and sound waves are all transverse waves.

Tectonic activity causes potential energy to build up in the crust. An earthquake occurs when this potential energy is released within the crust. Which statement best describes what happens when the energy is released?

• It generates seismic waves that spread out in all directions around Earth.

• It generates heat waves that affect climate change around Earth.

• It generates changes in the magnetic field of Earth.

• It generates changes in the orbiting speed of Earth.

This is a wave pattern diagram for two transverse waves.

How do the waves compare?

• Both waves have the same

  frequency.

• Both waves have the same

  wavelength.

• Wave 1 has a longer wavelength

  than Wave 2.

• Wave 1 has a higher frequency

  than Wave 2.

Look at this illustration of a wave.

Which points on the wave are the trough and the crest?

• Point W is a trough; Point Y is a crest.

• Point Y is a trough; Point W is a crest.

• Point Y is a trough; Point X is a crest.

• Point W is a trough; Point Z is a crest.

Which statement correctly describes how a sound wave travels through air?

• The wave carries molecules of air away from the source of the sound.

• The wave carries energy that causes molecules to move back and forth.

• The wave carries a molecule in one direction until it collides with another molecule.

• The wave moves through the air and gains energy from the moving molecules that it touches.

What causes a seismic wave?

• sudden breaking of rock as it releases potential energy

• very loud sound waves from the atmosphere entering the ground

• growing pressure on rocks from the weight of material above them

• energy transferred into Earth from the Sun as electromagnetic waves