Waves in Physics Worksheet

Define a wave and its role in physics. A wave is a ________ disturbance or vibration that moves ________ from one place to another.

• repeating; energy

• random; matter

• constant; particles

• single; sound

What are the two main types of waves? Provide examples of each.

• Mechanical; Electromagnetic

• Transverse; Longitudinal

• Sound; Light

• Radio; Water

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

• 300,000; 186,000

• 150,000; 93,000

• 500,000; 310,000

• 100,000; 62,000

Describe the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves. In ________ waves, the particles move up and down while the wave moves forward (like light waves or waves on a string). In ________ waves, the particles move back and forth in the same direction the wave moves (like sound waves).

• transverse; longitudinal

• longitudinal; transverse

• surface; mechanical

• mechanical; surface

What is amplitude, and how does it relate to wave energy?

• amplitude

• frequency

• wavelength

• velocity

How is wavelength defined, and what is its significance in wave behavior? Wavelength is the distance between two ________ parts of a wave.

• matching

• opposite

• random

• highest

What is frequency, and how is it measured?

• hertz

• meter

• second

• ampere

8. Explain the concept of resonance and its application in real life.

• Resonance is the tendency of a system to oscillate with greater amplitude at certain frequencies and is used in tuning musical instruments.

• Resonance is the process of heat transfer through direct contact and is used in cooking.

• Resonance is the bending of light as it passes through different media and is used in lenses.

• Resonance is the splitting of white light into its component colors and is used in rainbows.

How do sound waves differ from electromagnetic waves?

• Sound waves require a medium to travel, while electromagnetic waves do not.

• Sound waves travel faster than electromagnetic waves.

• Both sound and electromagnetic waves require a medium to travel.

• Electromagnetic waves cannot travel through a vacuum.

The Doppler effect is observed when:

• A sound's frequency changes due to the motion of the source or observer.

• Light bends as it passes through a lens.

• An object floats in water due to buoyancy.

• A material expands when heated.