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- 1. Multiple Choice
Which statement is true regarding mechanical and electromagnetic waves?
Both types of waves require a medium.
Neither type of wave requires a medium.
A mechanical wave requires a medium, but an electromagnetic wave does not.
The speed of an electromagnetic wave can be affected by a medium, but the speed of a mechanical wave cannot.
- 2. Multiple Choice
There are two types of waves: mechanical and electromagnetic. Microwaves, infrared waves, and radio waves are examples of electromagnetic waves. Which statement is true about the speed of an electromagnetic wave?
It is not affected by changes in media
It is slower in a vacuum than in a medium.
In a vacuum, its speed equals half the speed of light.
It slows down when it goes from a vacuum to a medium.
- 3. Multiple Choice
Through which medium does a mechanical wave travel most quickly?
solid
liquid
less dense gas
very dense gas
- 4. Multiple Choice
During a thunderstorm, Sanjay saw lightning and then heard thunder .5 seconds later. What would be different if the air had been warmer?
He would have seen the lightning and heard the thunder at the same time.
He would have heard the thunder before seeing the lightning.
He would have heard the thunder sooner.
He would have heard the thunder later
- 5. Multiple Choice
Through which of these media do sound waves travel most SLOWLY?
iron
wood
water
cold air
- 6. Multiple Choice
An earthquake sends out mechanical waves in all directions from its source. As these mechanical waves travel through different parts of Earth, through which part of Earth do they travel most QUICKLY?
rock
rivers
oceans
pockets of air
- 7. Multiple Choice
A jellyfish is floating in the ocean. What will happen to the jellyfish when a wave passes through the water?
It will be carried away with the wave.
It will not move, but the water around it will move.
It will be moved up to the surface of the water.
It will move up and down, but it will return to about the same place.
- 8. Multiple Choice
What is a wave?
A disturbance that transfers energy.
A disturbance that transfers matter.
Any type of energy that makes particles move.
Any type of matter that vibrates back and forth.
- 9. Multiple Choice
Alex hears a loud rumble as he watches a space shuttle lift off from the launch pad. What medium does the sound wave travel through to get from the shuttle to Alex’s ears?
air
a vacuum
large vibrations
energy
- 10. Multiple Choice
In which direction do longitudinal waves travel?
They travel in random directions.
They travel around in a circular motion.
They travel parallel to the direction of the disturbance.
They travel perpendicular to the direction of the disturbance.
- 11. Multiple Choice
A coconut drops into the water. What type of wave is produced in the water?
spring
invisible
mechanical
electromagnetic
- 12. Multiple Choice
Astronomers use radio waves to learn about the universe. Radio waves travel light years through space before reaching Earth. Radio waves must be which type of wave?
sound
mechanical
longitudinal
electromagnetic
- 13. Multiple Choice
The graph shows the speeds of three waves in air and water.
Which wave(s) are electromagnetic waves?
II only
I, II, & III
I and II only
I & III only
- 14. Multiple Choice
How does the sun transfer energy to the Earth?
by making Earth spin
by mechanical waves
by electromagnetic waves
by the Earth revolving around the sun
- 15. Multiple Choice
In what three types of electromagnetic waves does energy travel from the sun to the Earth?
radio, infrared, ultraviolet
light, infrared, xrays
infrared, light, ultraviolet
microwaves, infrared, gamma
- 16. Multiple Choice
In a vacuum, which of the following is the same for radio waves, visible light, and x-rays?
speed
frequency
energy
wavelength
- 17. Multiple Choice
THIS IS A TOUGH ONE...TAKE YOUR TIME.
Chandra X-Ray observatory has reported that they have found a new star near our solar system. The Chandra x-ray telescope detects x-rays in space. What does the use of the x-ray telescope reveal about the newly found star?
the star produces electromagnetic waves with shorter wavelengths than visible light
the star produces electromagnetic waves with lower frequencies than visible light
the star produces pictures in addition to electromagnetic waves
the star produces vibrating electrons in addition to electromagnetic waves
- 18. Multiple Choice
Pit vipers such as rattlesnakes have two pits under their nostrils to detect heat. These pits enable the pit vipers to hunt warmblooded prey by sensing electromagnetic energy that is a longer wavelength than visible light. What type of electromagnetic energy do the pits detect?
gamma
infrared
ultraviolet
microwave
- 19. Multiple Choice
The energy from sunlight is transmitted as electromagnetic waves, such as ultraviolet light and visible light. Which statement explains the difference between ultraviolet light and visible light?
Ultraviolet light has more colors than visible light.
Ultraviolet light has energy and visible light does not.
Visible light has longer wavelengths than ultraviolet light.
Visible light has infrared radiation and ultraviolet light does not.
- 20. Multiple Choice
Ultraviolet light, infrared, and visible light differ in their wavelengths. What is the correct order of wavelengths, from the longest to the shortest?
infrared radiation, visible light, and ultraviolet light
ultraviolet light, visible light, and infrared radiation
visible light, infrared radiation, and ultraviolet light
visible light, ultraviolet light, and infrared radiation
- 21. Multiple Choice
Radiant energy is the source of electromagnetic waves,
which include X-ray, infrared, and ultraviolet waves among
others. The diagram shows the electromagnetic
spectrum. Which of these statements best describes the speed of these waves in a vacuum?
X-rays travel slower than infrared
Infrared travels slower than X-rays
Infrared travels faster than ultraviolet
Infrared travels at the same speed as X-rays
- 22. Multiple Choice
The diagram represents the electromagnetic spectrum. What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength for electromagnetic waves?
Frequency equals wavelength.
As frequency increases, wavelength increases.
As frequency increases, wavelength decreases.
The relationship depends upon the speed of the wave.
- 23. Multiple Choice
The energy generated by the sun travels to Earth as electromagnetic waves of varying lengths. Which statement describes an electromagnetic wave with a long wavelength?
It has a high frequency and low energy.
It has a high frequency and high energy.
It has a low frequency and can travel through a vacuum.
It has a low frequency and needs a medium to travel through.
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