Waves and Materials - Middle School Physical Science
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What type of interference occurs when a crest overlaps a trough of equal amplitude in a wave model?
What type of interference occurs when a crest overlaps a trough of equal amplitude in a wave model?
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Destructive interference. Opposite phases cancel out, reducing or eliminating amplitude.
Destructive interference. Opposite phases cancel out, reducing or eliminating amplitude.
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In a refraction model, if a wave slows down in the second medium, does it bend toward or away from the normal?
In a refraction model, if a wave slows down in the second medium, does it bend toward or away from the normal?
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Toward the normal. Slower waves in new medium bend toward perpendicular.
Toward the normal. Slower waves in new medium bend toward perpendicular.
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Which material interaction is best modeled by a dark surface heating up under light: reflection, absorption, or diffraction?
Which material interaction is best modeled by a dark surface heating up under light: reflection, absorption, or diffraction?
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Absorption. Dark surfaces absorb light energy, converting it to heat.
Absorption. Dark surfaces absorb light energy, converting it to heat.
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Which interaction is best modeled when sound becomes quieter after passing through a thick curtain?
Which interaction is best modeled when sound becomes quieter after passing through a thick curtain?
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Absorption (and reduced transmission). Material absorbs sound energy, reducing what passes through.
Absorption (and reduced transmission). Material absorbs sound energy, reducing what passes through.
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What type of interference occurs when two crests overlap in a wave model?
What type of interference occurs when two crests overlap in a wave model?
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Constructive interference. Crests add together, creating larger amplitude.
Constructive interference. Crests add together, creating larger amplitude.
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What model is commonly used to represent compressions and rarefactions in a longitudinal wave?
What model is commonly used to represent compressions and rarefactions in a longitudinal wave?
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A slinky (spring) model. Springs compress and stretch to show longitudinal wave motion.
A slinky (spring) model. Springs compress and stretch to show longitudinal wave motion.
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Which model best represents a mechanical wave: a transverse rope wave or a light wave in vacuum?
Which model best represents a mechanical wave: a transverse rope wave or a light wave in vacuum?
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A transverse rope wave. Rope waves need a medium; light doesn't require one.
A transverse rope wave. Rope waves need a medium; light doesn't require one.
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What is the term for a wave spreading out after passing through an opening or around an edge?
What is the term for a wave spreading out after passing through an opening or around an edge?
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Diffraction. Waves bend around obstacles due to their wave nature.
Diffraction. Waves bend around obstacles due to their wave nature.
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What is the term for two or more waves combining to make a new wave pattern?
What is the term for two or more waves combining to make a new wave pattern?
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Interference. Wave amplitudes add together when waves meet.
Interference. Wave amplitudes add together when waves meet.
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In a refraction model, if a wave speeds up in the second medium, does it bend toward or away from the normal?
In a refraction model, if a wave speeds up in the second medium, does it bend toward or away from the normal?
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Away from the normal. Faster waves in new medium bend away from perpendicular.
Away from the normal. Faster waves in new medium bend away from perpendicular.
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What is the term for a wave bouncing off a surface and returning into the original medium?
What is the term for a wave bouncing off a surface and returning into the original medium?
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Reflection. Occurs when waves encounter a barrier and bounce back.
Reflection. Occurs when waves encounter a barrier and bounce back.
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What is the term for a wave changing direction as it enters a different material due to speed change?
What is the term for a wave changing direction as it enters a different material due to speed change?
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Refraction. Bending occurs because waves travel at different speeds in different media.
Refraction. Bending occurs because waves travel at different speeds in different media.
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What is the term for wave energy being taken in by a material and converted to thermal energy?
What is the term for wave energy being taken in by a material and converted to thermal energy?
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Absorption. Materials convert wave energy into heat through molecular vibrations.
Absorption. Materials convert wave energy into heat through molecular vibrations.
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What is the law relating angles in a reflection ray model (measured from the normal line)?
What is the law relating angles in a reflection ray model (measured from the normal line)?
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Angle of incidence $=$ angle of reflection. Both angles measured from normal are equal in reflection.
Angle of incidence $=$ angle of reflection. Both angles measured from normal are equal in reflection.
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In a boundary model, which quantity stays constant when a wave crosses into a different medium: $f$, $v$, or $\lambda$?
In a boundary model, which quantity stays constant when a wave crosses into a different medium: $f$, $v$, or $\lambda$?
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Frequency $f$ stays constant. Wave source determines frequency; medium changes only speed and wavelength.
Frequency $f$ stays constant. Wave source determines frequency; medium changes only speed and wavelength.
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What is the term for a wave passing through a material instead of reflecting or being absorbed?
What is the term for a wave passing through a material instead of reflecting or being absorbed?
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Transmission. Occurs when wave energy continues through without being blocked.
Transmission. Occurs when wave energy continues through without being blocked.
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If a wave enters a new material and its speed decreases, what happens to wavelength if frequency stays constant?
If a wave enters a new material and its speed decreases, what happens to wavelength if frequency stays constant?
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Wavelength decreases. From $v=flambda$, if $v$ decreases and $f$ is constant, $lambda$ must decrease.
Wavelength decreases. From $v=flambda$, if $v$ decreases and $f$ is constant, $lambda$ must decrease.
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What relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength should a model obey?
What relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength should a model obey?
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$v=f\lambda$. Fundamental wave equation relating speed, frequency, and wavelength.
$v=f\lambda$. Fundamental wave equation relating speed, frequency, and wavelength.
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Which interaction best models light passing through clear glass: transmission, absorption, or scattering?
Which interaction best models light passing through clear glass: transmission, absorption, or scattering?
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Transmission. Clear materials allow light to pass through unchanged.
Transmission. Clear materials allow light to pass through unchanged.
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What is the wave speed relationship among speed, frequency, and wavelength?
What is the wave speed relationship among speed, frequency, and wavelength?
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$v = f\lambda$. Speed equals frequency times wavelength.
$v = f\lambda$. Speed equals frequency times wavelength.
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If a wave enters a medium where speed decreases and frequency stays constant, what happens to wavelength?
If a wave enters a medium where speed decreases and frequency stays constant, what happens to wavelength?
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Wavelength decreases. Since $v = f\lambda$ and $f$ is constant, lower $v$ means lower $\lambda$.
Wavelength decreases. Since $v = f\lambda$ and $f$ is constant, lower $v$ means lower $\lambda$.
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If a wave enters a medium where speed increases and frequency stays constant, what happens to wavelength?
If a wave enters a medium where speed increases and frequency stays constant, what happens to wavelength?
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Wavelength increases. Since $v = f\lambda$ and $f$ is constant, higher $v$ means higher $\lambda$.
Wavelength increases. Since $v = f\lambda$ and $f$ is constant, higher $v$ means higher $\lambda$.
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What is the definition of a medium in wave models?
What is the definition of a medium in wave models?
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Material through which a wave travels. Substance that carries wave energy from place to place.
Material through which a wave travels. Substance that carries wave energy from place to place.
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Which type of wave requires a material medium to travel: mechanical or electromagnetic?
Which type of wave requires a material medium to travel: mechanical or electromagnetic?
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Mechanical waves. Sound and water waves need matter; light doesn't.
Mechanical waves. Sound and water waves need matter; light doesn't.
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Which interaction best models why sound is reduced by foam panels: reflection, absorption, or refraction?
Which interaction best models why sound is reduced by foam panels: reflection, absorption, or refraction?
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Absorption. Foam converts sound energy to heat, reducing noise.
Absorption. Foam converts sound energy to heat, reducing noise.
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