Physics

Wave Motion

489 Questions

Wave motion questions cover the principles of traveling and stationary waves, including their equations and intensities. The topics explore interference patterns, phase differences, and electromagnetic radiation speeds. Mastery of these concepts is vital for physics sections in engineering and civil services examinations.

Wave interferenceStanding wavesPhase differenceElectromagnetic radiationWave equations

Wave Motion Questions

Multiple choice physics study of sound types of waves sound as a wave of disturbance sound waves are longitudinal waves

In a stationary wave represented by $y = a \sin wt \cos kx$, amplitude of the component progressive wave is

  1. $\frac{a}{2}$
  2. $a$
  3. $2a$
  4. $a^2$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A stationary wave y = a sin(wt) cos(kx) can be written as the sum of two progressive waves: y = (a/2) sin(wt - kx) + (a/2) sin(wt + kx). Therefore, the amplitude of each component wave is a/2.

Multiple choice physics study of sound types of waves sound as a wave of disturbance sound waves are longitudinal waves

Which of the following equations represents a wave travelling along  $Y$-axis ?

  1. $x = A \sin ( k y - \omega t )$
  2. $y = A \sin ( k x - \omega t )$
  3. $y = A \sin k y \cos \omega t$
  4. $y = A \cos k y \sin \omega t$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A wave traveling along the Y-axis must have its displacement as a function of (y +/- vt). Option A represents a wave where the displacement x is a function of (y - vt).

Multiple choice physics study of sound types of waves sound as a wave of disturbance sound waves are longitudinal waves

Water waves are

  1. longitudinal

  2. transverse

  3. neither longitudinal nor transverse

  4. both longitudinal and transverse
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Water waves are both longitudinal and transverse. As a wave travels throught he water, the particles travel in clockwise circles. The radius of the circles decreases as the depth into the water.

Hence option (D) is correct.

Multiple choice physics study of sound types of waves sound as a wave of disturbance sound waves are longitudinal waves

Waves on water surface are

  1. Longitudinal

  2. Transverse

  3. Combination of longitudinal and transverse

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Water surface exhibits a combination of both longitudinal and transverse waves. When the wave travels through the water, the particles travel in a circular path, both parallel and perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. 

Multiple choice physics study of sound types of waves sound as a wave of disturbance sound waves are longitudinal waves

Velocity of a transverse wave along a stretched string is proportional to ___________. (T=tension in the string).

  1. $\sqrt{T}$
  2. $\displaystyle T$
  3. $\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt T}$
  4. $\displaystyle\frac{1}{T}$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Velocity of transverse wave $v =\sqrt{\dfrac{T}{\mu}}$

where $T$ is the tension in the string and $\mu$ is the mass of string per unit its length.
$\implies$ $v \propto \sqrt{T}$

Multiple choice physics study of sound types of waves sound as a wave of disturbance sound waves are longitudinal waves

All waves can be classified into two categories which are

  1. Sound waves and electromagnetic waves

  2. Transverse waves and electromagnetic waves

  3. Longitudinal waves and electromagnetic waves

  4. Transverse waves and longitudinal waves
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All waves can be classified into two categories . They are Transverse and longitudinal waves

A transverse wave is a wave in which particles of the medium move in a direction perpendicular to the direction that the wave moves.
A longitudinal wave is a wave in which particles of the medium move in a direction parallel to the direction that the wave moves
Therefore option $D$ is correct

Multiple choice physics study of sound types of waves sound as a wave of disturbance sound waves are longitudinal waves

Which of the following statements is true?

  1. Pressure undergoes no change at the nodes in the case of longitudinal stationary waves

  2. Pressure is minimum at the nodes in the case of longitudinal stationary waves

  3. Pressure is maximum at nodes in the case of longitudinal stationary waves

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

At nodes in longitudinal waves,there is maximum compression, So, there will be pressure.

Multiple choice physics study of sound types of waves sound as a wave of disturbance sound waves are longitudinal waves

When source and detector are stationary but the wind is blowing at speed ${ v } _{ w }$, the apparent wavelength ${ \lambda  }'$ on the wind side is related to actual wavelength ${ \lambda  }$ by [take speed of sound in air as v]

  1. ${ \lambda }'={ \lambda }$
  2. ${ \lambda }'=\frac { { v } _{ w } }{ v } \lambda $
  3. ${ \lambda }'=\frac { { v } _{ w }+v }{ v } \lambda $
  4. ${ \lambda }'=\frac { v }{ v-{ v } _{ w } } \lambda $
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The apparent speed of sound with wind is (v + vw). The frequency f remains constant. Since v_apparent = f * lambda_prime, we have (v + vw) = f * lambda_prime. Since v = f * lambda, f = v/lambda. Thus, lambda_prime = (v + vw) / (v/lambda) = ((v + vw) / v) * lambda.

Multiple choice physics sound types of waves sound as a wave of disturbance sound waves are longitudinal waves

A longitudinal wave is a wave that consists of oscillations that are 

  1. perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation

  2. parallel to the direction of wave propagation

  3. radial to the direction of wave propagation

  4. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A longitudinal wave is a wave that consists of oscillations that are perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation

The correct option is (b)

Multiple choice components of earth geography inside our earth the earth's structure structure of the earth our world earth and structure

When sesimic waves pass across the boundary between two different materials, ___________ .

  1. the waves change in velocity

  2. the waves refract

  3. the waves reflect

  4. all of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Seismic wave is a wave of energy caused due to sudden break or explosion of a rock in the earth’s interior.

When seismic wave passes from one material to the other material it either reflects, refracts or changes it velocity.

This phenomenon of seismic reflection or refraction enables geologists to study the interior of earth because reflection and refraction differs with the type of material.