This document contains multiple choice questions about waves and vibrations. It covers topics like the definitions of vibration, wave, frequency, period, wavelength, amplitude. It also discusses characteristics of different types of waves like transverse waves, longitudinal waves, standing waves. Concepts like wave interference, Doppler effect, shock waves, and sonic booms are also introduced. The document tests the reader's understanding of these fundamental wave concepts through a series of related multiple choice questions.

1. Chapter 19
Vibrations and Waves

2. A wiggle in time is a
a. vibration.
b. wave.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

3. A wiggle in time is a
a. vibration.
b. wave.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

4. A wave is a vibration in
a. space.
b. time.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

5. A wave is a vibration in
a. space.
b. time.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

6. When we consider how frequently a
pendulum swings to and fro, we’re
talking about its
a. frequency.
b. period.
c. wavelength.
d. amplitude.

7. When we consider how frequently a
pendulum swings to and fro, we’re
talking about its
a. frequency.
b. period.
c. wavelength.
d. amplitude.

8. When we consider the time it takes for
a pendulum to swing to and fro, we’re
talking about the pendulum’s
a. frequency.
b. period.
c. wavelength.
d. amplitude.

9. When we consider the time it takes for
a pendulum to swing to and fro, we’re
talking about the pendulum’s
a. frequency.
b. period.
c. wavelength.
d. amplitude.

10. When we consider how far a
pendulum swings to and fro, we’re
talking about the pendulum’s
a. frequency.
b. period.
c. wavelength.
d. amplitude.

11. When we consider how far a
pendulum swings to and fro, we’re
talking about the pendulum’s
a. frequency.
b. period.
c. wavelength.
d. amplitude.

12. The frequency of a wave is the
inverse of its
a. frequency.
b. period.
c. wavelength.
d. amplitude.

13. The frequency of a wave is the
inverse of its
a. frequency.
b. period.
c. wavelength.
d. amplitude.
Explanation: Note the inverse relationship: f = 1/T, T = 1/f.

14. If the frequency of a particular wave
is 20 Hz, its period is
a. 1/20 second.
b. 20 seconds.
c. more than 20 seconds.
d. None of the above.

15. If the frequency of a particular wave
is 20 Hz, its period is
a. 1/20 second.
b. 20 seconds.
c. more than 20 seconds.
d. None of the above.
Explanation: Note when f = 20 Hz, T = 1/f = 1/20 Hz = 1/20
second.

16. In Europe an electric razor completes
50 vibrations in 1 second. The
frequency of these vibrations is
a. 50 Hz with a period of 1/50 second.
b. 1/50 Hz with a period of 50 seconds.
c. 50 Hz with a period of 50 seconds.
d. 1/50 Hz with a period of 1/50 second.

17. In Europe an electric razor completes
50 vibrations in 1 second. The
frequency of these vibrations is
a. 50 Hz with a period of 1/50 second.
b. 1/50 Hz with a period of 50 seconds.
c. 50 Hz with a period of 50 seconds.
d. 1/50 Hz with a period of 1/50 second.
Explanation: Note when f = 50 Hz, T = 1/f = 1/50 Hz = 1/50
second.

18. For a transverse wave, the distance
between adjacent peaks in the direction
of travel is its
a. frequency.
b. period.
c. wavelength.
d. amplitude.

19. For a transverse wave, the distance
between adjacent peaks in the direction
of travel is its
a. frequency.
b. period.
c. wavelength.
d. amplitude.
Explanation: The wavelength of a transverse wave is also
the distance between adjacent troughs, or between any
adjacent identical parts of the waveform.

20. If you dip your finger repeatedly onto the
surface of still water, you produce waves.
The more frequently you dip your finger, the
a. lower the wave frequency and the longer the
wavelengths.
b. higher the wave frequency and the shorter the
wavelengths.
c. Strangely, both of these.
d. None of these.

21. If you dip your finger repeatedly onto the
surface of still water, you produce waves.
The more frequently you dip your finger, the
a. lower the wave frequency and the longer the
wavelengths.
b. higher the wave frequency and the shorter the
wavelengths.
c. Strangely, both of these.
d. None of these.
Explanation: Strange indeed, if you seriously answered c.!

22. The speed of a wave can be found by
multiplying its frequency by the
a. period.
b. wavelength.
c. amplitude.
d. None of the above.

23. The speed of a wave can be found by
multiplying its frequency by the
a. period.
b. wavelength.
c. amplitude.
d. None of the above.

24. The vibrations along a transverse
wave move in a direction
a. along the wave.
b. perpendicular to the wave.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

25. The vibrations along a transverse
wave move in a direction
a. along the wave.
b. perpendicular to the wave.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

26. The vibrations along a longitudinal
wave move in a direction
a. along the wave.
b. perpendicular to the wave.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

27. The vibrations along a longitudinal
wave move in a direction
a. along the wave.
b. perpendicular to the wave.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

28. A common example of a longitudinal
wave is
a. sound.
b. light.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

29. A common example of a longitudinal
wave is
a. sound.
b. light.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

30. Wave interference occurs for
a. water waves.
b. sound waves.
c. light waves.
d. All of these.

31. Wave interference occurs for
a. water waves.
b. sound waves.
c. light waves.
d. All of these.

32. A standing wave is produced by
reflected waves undergoing
a. changes in frequency.
b. changes in amplitude.
c. interference.
d. Doppler shifts.

33. A standing wave is produced by
reflected waves undergoing
a. changes in frequency.
b. changes in amplitude.
c. interference.
d. Doppler shifts.

34. The Doppler effect is characteristic of
a. sound waves.
b. light waves.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

35. The Doppler effect is characteristic of
a. sound waves.
b. light waves.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

36. The Doppler effect is concerned with
changes in wave
a. frequency.
b. speed.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.

37. The Doppler effect is concerned with
changes in wave
a. frequency.
b. speed.
c. Both of these.
d. None of these.
Explanation: A common misconception is that the Doppler
effect is a perceived change in speed—not so! Distinguish
between speed (how fast) and frequency (how frequently)!

38. A shock wave is the result of wave
a. interference.
b. superposition.
c. amplification.
d. transference.

39. A shock wave is the result of wave
a. interference.
b. superposition.
c. amplification.
d. transference.

40. A sonic boom cannot be produced by
a. an aircraft flying slower than the speed of
sound.
b. a whip.
c. a speeding bullet.
d. All of these.

41. A sonic boom cannot be produced by
a. an aircraft flying slower than the speed of
sound.
b. a whip.
c. a speeding bullet.
d. All of these.
Comment: None of these produces a shock wave and a
resulting sonic boom.