Free Waves MCQs with Answers
1,281 Waves MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Progressive waves transfer energy through oscillations, with wavelength, frequency, amplitude and wave speed related by v = fλ; sound speed depends on the medium. Superposition produces interference and stationary waves in strings and organ pipes, while simple harmonic motion describes the oscillation itself and must be distinguished from wave propagation.
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1,281 questions · page 46 of 65
- A. Two waves of equal frequency
- B. Two waves of the same speed
- C. Two waves of unequal amplitude
- D. Two waves travelling in opposite directions
Explanation: When waves have unequal amplitudes, they do not form stationary waves.
Correct answer: Two waves of unequal amplitude- A. f₀ = fₛ (v + vₛ)/v
- B. f₀ = fₛ v/(v + vₛ)
- C. f₀ = fₛ v/(v - vₛ)
- D. f₀ = fₛ (v + vₛ)/(v - vₛ)
Explanation: Correct. This equation applies when the source is moving toward a stationary observer, causing the observed frequency to increase.
Correct answer: f₀ = fₛ v/(v - vₛ)- A. Frequency
- B. Amplitude
- C. Wavelength
- D. Time period
Explanation: Wavelength is the distance between successive crests (or troughs) of a wave.
Correct answer: Wavelength- A. Longitudinal wave
- B. Progressive wave
- C. Transverse wave
- D. Stationary wave
Explanation: (a) Longitudinal wave: In a longitudinal wave, the particles of the medium oscillate parallel to the direction of wave propagation.
Correct answer: Stationary wave- A. Sound waves
- B. Water waves
- C. Waves associated with electron
- D. Waves in spring
Explanation: Water waves are transverse in nature. They form crests and troughs.
Correct answer: Water waves- A. Adiabatic
- B. Isobaric
- C. Isochoric
- D. Isothermal
Explanation: In isothermal state the change in temperature remains constant. Newton carried his experiment in an isothermal state to calculate the…
Correct answer: Isothermal- A. 0.41 ms-1
- B. 0.51 ms-1
- C. 0.61 ms-1
- D. 0.71 ms-1
Explanation: For every 1°C increase in temperature, the speed of sound in air increases by about 0.6 m/s.
Correct answer: 0.61 ms-1- A. 0°
- B. 45°
- C. 90°
- D. 180°
Explanation: Destructive interference occurs at an angle of 180 degrees between the two waves.
Correct answer: 180°- A. They cancel each other out resulting in a destructive interference
- B. They combine to form a wave double the amplitude, resulting in constructive interference
- C. They produce a wave with zero amplitude
- D. They produce a wave with the same amplitude as the individual waves
Explanation: This option is correct. When two waves of the same frequency and amplitude meet in phase (their peaks and troughs align), they combine…
Correct answer: They combine to form a wave double the amplitude, resulting in constructive interference- A. Longitudinal waves
- B. Mechanical waves
- C. Sound waves
- D. Transverse waves
Explanation: This option is correct. Transverse waves have particle motion perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, allowing them to be…
Correct answer: Transverse waves- A. The particles of the medium oscillate perpendicular to the wave's propagation
- B. The particles of the medium remain stationary as the wave passes through
- C. The particles of the medium oscillate along the direction of the wave's propagation
- D. Their velocity is enhanced when they travel through vacuum
Explanation: The particles of the medium oscillate along the direction of the wave's propagation in a longitudinal wave.
Correct answer: The particles of the medium oscillate along the direction of the wave's propagation- A. Always zero
- B. The product of the individual wave amplitude
- C. The product of the frequencies of the individual waves
- D. The sum of the amplitudes of the individual waves
Explanation: The amplitude of the resultant wave at a point where two or more waves overlap is the algebraic sum of the individual amplitudes of those…
Correct answer: The sum of the amplitudes of the individual waves- A. Density
- B. Moisture
- C. Pressure
- D. Temperature
Explanation: The speed of sound is influenced by the medium through which it travels, temperature, density, elasticity, humidity.
Correct answer: Pressure- A. 0.57 m
- B. 0.38 m
- C. 0.77 m
- D. 0.87 m
Explanation: Step 1:First, find the wavelength of the sound wave using the formula:wavelength = speed ÷ frequency= 340 ÷ 440= 0.7727 metersStep 2:In a…
Correct answer: 0.38 m- A. Decreases
- B. Increases
- C. Stays the same
- D. Varies randomly
Explanation: Frequency of the sound increases as source moves towards the stationary observer.
Correct answer: Increases- A. Decreases
- B. Increases two times
- C. Increases four times
- D. Remains constant
Explanation: The wavelength associated with a freely falling body decreases as it falls faster (due to increasing velocity) over time.
Correct answer: Decreases- A. 20Hz and 21Hz
- B. 100Hz and 110Hz
- C. 1000Hz and 2000Hz
- D. None of the given options
Explanation: Option A (20Hz and 21Hz) is correct because these frequencies are very close, producing a low beat frequency of 1 Hz.
Correct answer: 20Hz and 21Hz- A. λ
- B. λ/2
- C. λ/4
- D. none of these
Explanation: A crest to a trough is half a wavelength.This is the correct answer.
Correct answer: λ/2- A. High
- B. Low
- C. Zero
- D. All of these
Explanation: Compressions are regions of high pressure.
Correct answer: High- A. Isothermal condition
- B. Adiabatic condition
- C. Isochoric condition
- D. Isobaric condition
Explanation: Correct. Laplace showed that sound propagation in air is an adiabatic process, where no heat exchange occurs.
Correct answer: Adiabatic condition