Physical Science: Waves & Sound Review

What is the term for areas in a longitudinal wave where particles are close together?

• Compression

• Rarefaction

• Wavefront

• Crest

What is the phenomenon called when a wave bounces back after hitting a barrier?

• Refraction

• Diffraction

• Reflection

• Absorption

What medium cannot carry sound waves?

• Water

• Air

• Space

• Steel

What is the term for the number of waves that pass a point in a given period of time?

• Amplitude

• Wavelength

• Frequency

• Velocity

What is the term for the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a wave?

• Amplitude

• Frequency

• Wavelength

• Wave speed

What is the lowest point of a transverse wave called?

• Crest

• Trough

• Amplitude

• Wavelength

What type of wave requires a medium to travel through?

• Mechanical wave (e.g., sound waves)

• Electromagnetic wave (e.g., light waves)

• Radio wave

• Gamma wave

What type of wave is characterized by particle motion that is parallel to the direction of wave propagation?

• Transverse wave (e.g., light waves)

• Longitudinal wave (e.g., sound waves)

• Surface wave (e.g., ocean waves)

• Electromagnetic wave (e.g., radio waves)

What is the highest point of a transverse wave?

• Trough

• Crest

• Amplitude

• Wavelength

True or False: P waves travel faster than S waves.

• True

• False

• P waves travel slower than S waves.

• P waves and S waves travel at the same speed.