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lesson pretestMultiple Choice

Pretest

Question 1 • Physics

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

Answer
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

Explanation

Sound waves are mechanical waves because they travel through a material medium, such as air. The vibrating tuning fork makes nearby air molecules vibrate, passing the sound along. The wave is not electromagnetic; sound needs a medium to travel.

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