AnswersPhysicsIntroduction to Waves

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1
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A tuning fork is vibrating the air around it. What best describes the waves produced by the tuning fork?

A
electromagnetic, because the vibrating tuning fork does not need air in order to produce sound
B
mechanical, because the vibrating tuning fork makes air molecules around it vibrate
C
mechanical, because the air molecules are moving perpendicular to the tuning fork
D
electromagnetic, because the air molecules are moving parallel to the tuning fork
2
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Sort each of the descriptors based on whether it applies to transverse waves only, longitudinal waves only, or both wave types.

Answer:

medium motion is perpendicular,vibrating strings|have speed,created by a disturbance|medium motion is parallel,have regions of high and low densities

4

A sound wave travels through water. What best describes the direction of the water particles?

A
The water particles move in random patterns because the sound is diffracted in many directions.
B
The water particles move perpendicular to the source of the sound wave.
C
The water particles do not move because the sound wave does not have enough energy.
D
The water particles move in the same direction as the vibrating source of the sound wave.
5

In an experiment, a ringing bell is placed in a vacuum jar that does not have any air in it. What best describes why the bell is seen vibrating but not heard?

A
Light waves travel faster than sound waves, so they are able to travel through the vacuum jar, but sound waves do not have enough energy to vibrate glass.
B
Light is a longitudinal wave that is able to pass through the vacuum jar, but sound is a transverse wave that has to move perpendicular to air.
C
Light waves have high frequencies and are able to pass through the vacuum jar, but the frequencies of sound waves are too low to vibrate a vacuum.
D
Light does not need a medium to travel through, but since sound waves must have a medium to vibrate, sound is not created where no air is present.
6

Which are examples of transverse waves? Choose four correct answers.

A
earthquake S-waves
B
X-rays
C
earthquake P-waves
D
radio waves
E
sound
F
visible light
8

How are electromagnetic waves different than all other waves?

A
They can be reflected.
B
They can be transmitted.
C
They can travel through space.
D
They can vibrate matter.
9

Which statements best describe X-rays? Choose three correct answers.

A
X-rays are mechanical waves.
B
X-rays are electromagnetic waves.
C
X-rays travel at the speed of sound.
D
X-rays travel at the speed of light.
E
X-rays are longitudinal waves.
F
X-rays are transverse waves.
10

What type of wave is a microwave?

A
heat
B
longitudinal
C
sound
D
transverse

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Pretest Answers — Physics