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IB Physics: Wave model — Practice Questions & Answers
354 practice questions available for this topic — here are 10 with full answers and explanations.
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Practice questions with answers
1
Multiple choice · Easy
A wave has frequency $50\,\text{Hz}$ and wavelength $2.0\,\text{m}$. What is its speed?
- $100\,\text{m s}^{-1}$
- $25\,\text{m s}^{-1}$
- $52\,\text{m s}^{-1}$
- $0.04\,\text{m s}^{-1}$
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Why$v=f\lambda=50\times 2.0=100\,\text{m s}^{-1}$.
2
Multiple choice · Easy
In a transverse wave, the oscillations of the medium are:
- Perpendicular to the direction of travel
- Parallel to the direction of travel
- In circles around the source
- Absent; only energy moves
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WhyIn a transverse wave the particle oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.
3
Multiple choice · Easy
Which of these is a longitudinal wave?
- A sound wave in air
- A wave on a string
- A light wave
- A water surface ripple
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WhySound is longitudinal: the air particles oscillate parallel to the direction of propagation, forming compressions and rarefactions.
4
Multiple choice · Medium
The wavelength of a wave is best defined as:
- The distance between two adjacent points in phase
- The maximum displacement from equilibrium
- The time for one oscillation
- The number of waves per second
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WhyWavelength is the distance between two consecutive points in phase, for example crest to crest.
5
Multiple choice · Medium
The amplitude of a wave is related to which property?
- The energy it transfers
- Its speed
- Its wavelength
- Its frequency
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WhyAmplitude is the maximum displacement and is linked to the energy carried by the wave; larger amplitude means more energy.
6
Multiple choice · Hard
A wave of speed $340\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ has a wavelength of $0.20\,\text{m}$. What is its frequency?
- $1700\,\text{Hz}$
- $68\,\text{Hz}$
- $340\,\text{Hz}$
- $0.59\,\text{Hz}$
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Why$f=\frac{v}{\lambda}=\frac{340}{0.20}=1700\,\text{Hz}$.
7
Fill in the blank · Easy
The wave equation states that wave speed equals frequency multiplied by .
Answer:
wavelength
Why$v=f\lambda$, where $\lambda$ is the wavelength.
8
Fill in the blank · Easy
The number of complete wave cycles passing a point each second is the .
Answer:
frequency
WhyFrequency, measured in hertz (Hz), is the number of oscillations per second.
9
Multiple choice · Medium
For a wave of frequency f, wavelength lambda and speed v, which relationship is correct?
- v = f lambda
- v = f / lambda
- v = lambda / f
- f = v lambda
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WhyThe wave equation is v = f lambda.
10
Multiple choice · Hard
An electromagnetic wave in a vacuum has a frequency of 5.0 x 10^14 Hz. Taking c = 3.0 x 10^8 m/s, what is its wavelength?
- 6.0 x 10^-7 m
- 1.7 x 10^6 m
- 1.5 x 10^23 m
- 6.0 x 10^7 m
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Whylambda = c / f = 3.0e8 / 5.0e14 = 6.0 x 10^-7 m.
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