Review - Wave
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____
____
____
____
____
____
1. Vibration of an object about an equilibrium point is called simple harmonic motion when the restoring force
is proportional to
a. time.
c. a spring constant.
b. displacement.
d. mass.
2. For a system in simple harmonic motion, which of the following is the number of cycles or vibrations per unit
of time?
a. amplitude
c. frequency
b. period
d. revolution
3. Which of the following is a single nonperiodic disturbance?
a. pulse wave
c. sine wave
b. periodic wave
d. transverse wave
4. Each compression in the waveform of the longitudinal wave shown above corresponds to what feature of the
transverse wave below it?
a. wavelength
c. troughs
b. crests
d. amplitude
5. Each stretched region in the waveform of the longitudinal wave shown above corresponds to what feature of
the transverse wave below it?
a. wavelength
c. troughs
b. crests
d. amplitude
6. Two mechanical waves meet and coincide. One wave has a positive displacement from the equilibrium
position, and the other wave has a negative displacement. What kind of interference occurs?
a. constructive
c. complete constructive
b. destructive
d. none
____
____
____
7. Which of the following types of interference will occur when the pulses in the figure above meet?
a. no interference
c. destructive interference
b. constructive interference
d. total interference
8. Waves arriving at a free boundary are
a. neither reflected nor inverted.
c. reflected and inverted.
b. reflected but not inverted.
d. inverted but not reflected.
9. Standing waves are produced by periodic waves of
a. any amplitude and wavelength traveling in the same direction.
b. the same amplitude and wavelength traveling in the same direction.
c. any amplitude and wavelength traveling in opposite directions.
d. the same frequency, amplitude, and wavelength traveling in opposite directions.
Short Answer
10. The motion of a metronome is an example of simple ____________________ motion.
11. Simple harmonic motion is vibration about an equilibrium position in which a(n) ____________________
force is proportional to the displacement from equilibrium.
12. In the equation for Hooke’s Law, F
= –kx, the term k represents the ____________________ of a spring.
13. How is the relationship between period and frequency represented as an equation?
14. Suppose that a pendulum has a period of 4.0 s at Earth’s surface. If the pendulum is taken to the moon, where
the acceleration due to gravity is much less than on Earth, will the pendulum’s period increase, decrease, or
stay the same? Explain your answer.
15. A certain pendulum with a 1.00 kg bob has a period of 3.50 s. What will happen to the period of the
pendulum if the 1.00 kg bob is replaced by a bob with a mass of 2.00 kg? Explain your answer.
16. Electromagnetic waves can move through empty space, but mechanical waves require a
____________________ through which to travel.
17. What is the difference between a pulse wave and a periodic wave?
18. In the waveform shown above, which feature of a wave does letter D represent?
19. In the waveform shown above, which feature of a wave does letter C represent?
20. In the transverse waveform shown above, the feature designated by letter B corresponds to a(n)
____________________ in a longitudinal wave.
21. When two waves meet, they combine according to the ____________________ principle.
22. One end of a rope is tied loosely to a post so that the end is free to flop up and down. Suppose you send a
pulse along this rope from its opposite end. Describe what you would expect to happen when the pulse
reaches the post.
Problem
23. An amusement park ride has a frequency of 0.05 Hz. What is the ride’s period?
24. An amusement park ride swings back and forth once every 40.0 s. What is the ride’s frequency?
25. What is the period of a 4.12 m long pendulum with a bob of mass 75.0 kg?
26. Radio waves from an FM station have a frequency of 103.1 MHz. If the waves travel with a speed of 3.00 
10 m/s, what is the wavelength?