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12 - Mechanical Waves and Sound Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 12 - Mechanical Waves and Sound, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions
01
Choose one
1 point

A wave travels horizontally along a stretched string while each segment of the string moves up and down. What type of wave is this?

  1. A

    The particles oscillate parallel to the direction of propagation.

  2. B

    The particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

  3. C

    The particles remain permanently displaced after the wave passes.

  4. D

    The particles travel with the wave over long distances.

02
Choose one
1 point

Which condition most directly produces resonance in an oscillating system?

  1. A

    The driving force has its greatest possible magnitude.

  2. B

    The system has zero damping regardless of its construction.

  3. C

    The driving frequency is equal or close to a natural frequency.

  4. D

    The system is isolated from all external forces.

03
Choose one
1 point

A periodic wave travels at 18 m/s18\ \text{m/s} and has a frequency of 6.0 Hz6.0\ \text{Hz}. What is its wavelength?

  1. A

    3 m3\ \text{m}

  2. B

    12 m12\ \text{m}

  3. C

    24 m24\ \text{m}

  4. D

    108 m108\ \text{m}

04
Choose all
1 point

Select all statements that correctly describe how wave speed depends on string tension, linear mass density, and source frequency. Assume the other relevant quantities remain fixed when each variable is considered.

  1. A

    Increasing the string tension increases the wave speed.

  2. B

    Increasing the source frequency always increases the wave speed in the same string.

  3. C

    Increasing the linear mass density decreases the wave speed.

  4. D

    For a fixed string and medium, changing frequency generally changes wavelength instead of wave speed.

05
Choose all
1 point

Select all statements that apply to an ideal air column closed at one end and open at the other.

  1. A

    There is a displacement node at the closed end.

  2. B

    There is a displacement antinode at the open end.

  3. C

    Both even and odd harmonics occur in the idealized model.

  4. D

    Only odd harmonics occur in the idealized model.

06
True or false
1 point

A mechanical wave can propagate through a perfect vacuum because its energy does not require particles.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

07
True or false
1 point

For sound in a given medium, increasing the amplitude can make the sound louder without necessarily increasing its wave speed.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

08
Written response
1 point

Two sound waves have frequencies of 254 Hz254\ \text{Hz} and 258 Hz258\ \text{Hz}. What is the beat frequency? Enter the numerical value in hertz.

09
Written response
1 point

What term describes the relatively low-pressure regions in a longitudinal sound wave?

10
Fill in the blank
1 point

Complete the relationship for a periodic wave: v=v=.

11
Fill in the blank
1 point

For a standing wave, the distance from a node to the nearest antinode is , and the distance between adjacent nodes is .

12
Open ended
1 point

A point source emits sound uniformly in all directions. If the distance from the source is tripled while the emitted power remains constant, how does the intensity change? Explain your reasoning.

13
Choose one
1 point

Which sinusoidal expression represents a wave traveling in the positive xx-direction?

  1. A

    y=Asin⁡(kx+ωt)y=A\sin(kx+\omega t)

  2. B

    y=Asin⁡(kx−ωt)y=A\sin(kx-\omega t)

  3. C

    y=Asin⁡(−kx−ωt)y=A\sin(-kx-\omega t)

  4. D

    y=Asin⁡(ωx−kt)y=A\sin(\omega x-kt)

14
True or false
1 point

Destructive interference can produce zero displacement at a location, but it does not violate conservation of energy.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

15
Choose one
1 point

A wave travels along a horizontal rope while the rope segments move up and down. Which description correctly identifies this wave?

  1. A

    The particles oscillate parallel to the direction of propagation.

  2. B

    The particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

  3. C

    The particles remain fixed while only energy moves.

  4. D

    The particles move from the source to the listener.

16
Choose one
1 point

Which situation best explains why a small periodic force can produce a large oscillation during resonance?

  1. A

    A large force always produces resonance, regardless of frequency.

  2. B

    Resonance occurs only when the object is moving through a vacuum.

  3. C

    Damping increases the resonant amplitude by supplying energy each cycle.

  4. D

    A small periodic force can produce a large amplitude when its frequency matches a natural frequency and damping is small.

17
Choose one
1 point

Two pulses overlap at a point on a rope. At that instant, one pulse produces a displacement of 3 cm upward and the other produces a displacement of 1 cm downward. What is the resultant displacement at the point?

  1. A

    1 cm upward

  2. B

    2 cm upward

  3. C

    2 cm downward

  4. D

    4 cm upward

18
Choose one
1 point

A string fixed at both ends has a fundamental frequency of 25 Hz. What is the frequency of its third harmonic?

  1. A

    8.3 Hz

  2. B

    25 Hz

  3. C

    75 Hz

  4. D

    125 Hz

19
Written response
1 point

For a mechanical wave in the linear regime, the average energy transfer rate is proportional to the square of the amplitude. If the amplitude is tripled, by what numerical factor does the average energy transfer rate increase?

20
Written response
1 point

An air column open at both ends is vibrating in its second harmonic. How many displacement nodes are located inside the tube, excluding the two open ends?