Name: ___________________
Ch 14 Waves Review
LT#1: Describe the difference between mechanical and EM waves. Define and differentiate
between transverse and longitudinal waves
1. If the particles of the medium are vibrating back and forth in the same direction of the wave, then the
wave is a ____ wave.
A. longitudinal
B. sound
C. standing
D. transverse
2. When the particles of a medium are vibrating at right angles to the direction of the wave, then the
wave is a ____ wave.
A. longitudinal
B. sound
C. standing
D. transverse
3. Which one of the following CANNOT transmit sound?
A. Liquid air
D. Solid steel
B. Gaseous oxygen
E. Perfect vacuum
C. Liquid water
4. A wave that requires a medium to travel through is referred to as a _________________ wave.
LT#2: Describe the characteristics of a wave (velocity, frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and time
period). Relate a wave’s speed to the medium in which it travels.
5. Draw a simple wave in the space provided. Label wavelength, crest, trough and amplitude on it.
6. The speed of a wave depends on ...
A. the medium through which the wave travels
B. the wavelength of the wave.
C. the frequency of the wave.
D. both the wavelength and the frequency of the wave
7. ____ The wavelength of a wave is:
A. the number of times a wave goes by in a second
B. the time it takes for one oscillation to occur
C. the distance between similar points on a wave
D. the speed of the wave
Questions 8-11 are T/F. If the statement is false change the italicized word to make the statement
true.
8. The speed of a wave generally depends only on the source.
________________________________________
9. Waves with larger amplitudes transmit less energy than do waves with smaller amplitudes
________________________________________
10. The frequency of a wave does not depend on the medium.
________________________________________
11. The higher the frequency of a wave is, the longer its period is.
________________________________________
LT#3: Explain the relationship between velocity, frequency, wavelength, and time period.
12. Dawn and Adam have stretched a slinky between them and begin experimenting with waves. As the
frequency of the waves is doubled,
A. the wavelength is halved and the speed remains constant
B. the wavelength remains constant and the speed is doubled
C. both the wavelength and the speed are halved.
D. both the wavelength and the speed remain constant.
13. As a wave passes across a boundary into a new medium, which characteristic of the wave would NOT
change?
A. speed
B. frequency
C. wavelength
14. Many wave properties are dependent upon other wave properties. Yet, one wave property is
independent of all other wave properties. Which one of the following properties of a wave is independent
of all the others?
A. wavelength
B. frequency
C. period
D. velocity
15. If the velocity of light slows down when it enters water then the wavelength will
_____________________
16. The wavelength of the waves produced in a medium are increased. Explain what happens to:
a. Frequency:
b. Speed:
c. Amplitude:
LT #4: Calculate the relationship between velocity, frequency, wavelength, and time period.
17. What is the frequency of a wave that has a speed of 0.4 m/s and a wavelength of 0.020 meter?
A. 10 hertz.
B. 20 hertz.
C. 0.008 hertz.
d. 0.5 hertz.
18. A period of 0.005 seconds would be equivalent to a frequency of ____ Hz.
A. 20
B. 50
c. 200
D. 500
e. 2000
19. A jump rope is swung at the rate of 10 swings every 20seconds. What is its frequency?
20. Given the period of a duck in water is 2 sec. Find its frequency.
21. The distance of a water wave from the crest to trough is 5 m. You measure the time it takes the wave
to go from crest to the trough and find it to be 0.8 s. Find the wavelength, frequency, and velocity of the
wave.
LT #5: Apply the principle of superposition to the interfering waves.
22. Describe constructive interference.
23. Describe destructive interference:
24. Complete the superposition of the waves provided.
During superposition
After superposition
25. Sketch the superposition of the waves provided. Make sure to write the exact amplitudes of the
resultant waves when they meet and after they pass through.
During superposition
After superposition
2m
5m
LT #6: Define and apply the law of reflection to waves.
26. A wave that strikes a boundary is called the reflective wave.
________________________________________
27. A beam of light strikes a mirror at an angle of 43°. What is the angle will the reflected ray leave the
mirror?
28. Does the law of reflection apply to curved objects as well as straight objects or just simple to straight
objects?