Physics Waves

1. A single disturbance that moves from point to point through a medium is called a ___.
a. period
b. periodic wave
c. wavelength
d. pulse

Answer: D
A wave is a continuous and repeating disturbance of a medium and a pulse is a single disturbance.

2. If the particles of the medium are vibrating to and fro in the same direction of energy transport, then the wave is a ____ wave.
a. longitudinal
b. sound
c. standing
d. transverse

Answer: A
In longitudinal waves, particles of the medium vibrate to and from in a direction parallel to the direction of energy transport. If energy is transmitted along a medium from the east end to the west end, then particles of the medium would vibrate eastward and westward
A sound wave is a longitudinal wave but not the answer since a wave which exhibits this characteristic is not necessarily a sound wave.

3. When the particles of a medium are vibrating at right angles to the direction of energy transport, then the wave is a ____ wave.
a. longitudinal
b. sound
c. standing
d. transverse

Answer: D
In transverse waves, particles of the medium vibrate to and from in a direction perpendicular to the direction of energy transport.

4. If the energy in a longitudinal wave travels from south to north, the particles of the medium would be vibrating _____.
a. from north to south, only
b. both north and south
c. from east to west, only
d. both east and west

Answer: B
In longitudinal waves, particles of the medium vibrate to and from in a direction parallel to the direction of energy transport. If the particles only moved north and not back south, then the particles would be permanently displaced from their rest position; this is not wavelike.

5. As a pulse travels though a uniform medium, the speed of the pulse ____.
a. decreases
b. increases
c. remains the same

Answer: C
The speed of a wave or a pulse depends upon the properties of the medium. If the medium is uniform or unchanging, then the