Wave Phenomena quiz with answers for High School Physics

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🌊 Wave Basics: A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy through a medium (or vacuum). Key properties include wavelength ($\lambda$), frequency ($f$), amplitude ($A$), and speed ($v$).
• ⏱️ Frequency & Period: Frequency ($f$) is the number of oscillations per second (Hertz, Hz). Period ($T$) is the time for one complete oscillation. They are related by: $f = \frac{1}{T}$.
• 📏 Wave Speed: The speed of a wave ($v$) is related to its wavelength and frequency by the equation: $v = f\lambda$.
• ➕ Superposition: When two or more waves overlap, their amplitudes add together (or subtract if they are out of phase). This leads to interference.
• 💫 Interference: Constructive interference occurs when waves are in phase, resulting in a larger amplitude. Destructive interference occurs when waves are out of phase, resulting in a smaller amplitude.
• 📢 Doppler Effect: The apparent change in frequency of a wave due to the motion of the source or the observer. The formula is: $f' = f(\frac{v \pm v_o}{v \pm v_s})$, where $f'$ is the observed frequency, $f$ is the source frequency, $v$ is the speed of the wave, $v_o$ is the observer's speed, and $v_s$ is the source's speed.
• ↔️ Transverse vs. Longitudinal Waves: In transverse waves (e.g., light), the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of wave travel. In longitudinal waves (e.g., sound), the oscillations are parallel to the direction of wave travel.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is NOT a property of a wave?
   1. Amplitude
   2. Frequency
   3. Mass
   4. Wavelength
2. What is the relationship between frequency (f) and period (T)?
   1. $f = T$
   2. $f = \frac{1}{T}$
   3. $f = T^2$
   4. $f = \sqrt{T}$
3. A wave has a frequency of 2 Hz and a wavelength of 1.5 meters. What is its speed?
   1. 0.75 m/s
   2. 3 m/s
   3. 3.5 m/s
   4. 4 m/s
4. What phenomenon occurs when two waves overlap and their amplitudes add together?
   1. Diffraction
   2. Refraction
   3. Constructive Interference
   4. Destructive Interference
5. Which type of wave has oscillations parallel to the direction of wave travel?
   1. Transverse Wave
   2. Electromagnetic Wave
   3. Longitudinal Wave
   4. Surface Wave
6. What is the Doppler effect?
   1. The bending of waves around obstacles
   2. The change in frequency due to relative motion
   3. The splitting of white light into colors
   4. The reflection of waves off a surface
7. A police car's siren emits a frequency of 500 Hz. If the car is moving towards you, will the observed frequency be higher or lower?
   1. Higher
   2. Lower
   3. The same
   4. Impossible to determine