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AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based
Unit 14: Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics
14.1 Wave Properties
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The wavelength of a wave is measured in
meters
Give an example of a transverse wave.
Light
The oscillation direction in a transverse wave is perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
True
Match the wave property with its description:
Amplitude ↔️ Maximum displacement from equilibrium
Wavelength ↔️ Distance between two consecutive crests
Frequency ↔️ Number of oscillations per second
Period ↔️ Time for one complete oscillation
Wave speed is directly proportional to both wavelength and frequency.
True
What is the direction of oscillation in a longitudinal wave relative to the direction of wave propagation?
Parallel
Match the type of wave with an example:
Transverse Wave ↔️ Electromagnetic Wave
Longitudinal Wave ↔️ Sound Wave
What is the unit of frequency?
Hertz
Order the steps to define the wave parameters:
1️⃣ Define amplitude
2️⃣ Define wavelength
3️⃣ Define frequency
4️⃣ Define period
What is a wave defined as?
A disturbance that transfers energy
The frequency of a wave is measured in
hertz
.
True
In a longitudinal wave, oscillations are parallel to the direction of
propagation
What is the direction of oscillation in a longitudinal wave relative to its propagation?
Parallel
The equation relating wave speed, wavelength, and frequency is
v = λf
What is the unit of frequency?
Hertz
The oscillations in a transverse wave are
perpendicular
to the direction of wave propagation.
In a transverse wave, the particle motion is perpendicular to the
direction
of wave travel.
True
The amplitude of a wave is measured in
meters
.
What is the formula relating wave speed, wavelength, and frequency?
v
=
v =
v
=
λ
f
λf
λ
f
What is the principle that governs wave superposition?
Their displacements add together
What are the two factors that determine the degree of diffraction of a wave?
Wavelength and obstacle size
What is wave diffraction?
Bending of waves
Waves with longer
wavelengths
diffract more than waves with shorter wavelengths.
True
What is wave reflection?
Waves bouncing back
Regular reflection occurs from smooth
surfaces
.
True
Wave refraction occurs because wave speed varies in different
media
What is the refractive index of air?
1.0003
What is a wave defined as?
Disturbance transferring energy
The unit of frequency is
hertz
(Hz).
True
The amplitude of a wave is the maximum displacement from
equilibrium
If a wave has a wavelength of 2 meters and a frequency of 5 Hz, what is its wave speed?
10 m/s
When waves overlap, their displacements add together, which can lead to either constructive or destructive
interference
Destructive interference occurs when the crest of one wave lines up with the
trough
In destructive interference, the amplitude of the resulting wave is decreased
True
When waves destructively interfere, their
amplitudes
cancel each other out completely
True
Waves with longer
wavelengths
diffract more than waves with shorter wavelengths
True
Order the following wave properties from most pronounced to least pronounced diffraction:
1️⃣ Long Wavelength Waves
2️⃣ Short Wavelength Waves
In regular reflection, the surface is smooth, and the reflected wave direction is coherent
True
Wave refraction is the change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to
another
Match the medium with its refractive index:
Vacuum ↔️ 1.0
Water ↔️ 1.33
Diamond ↔️ 2.42
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