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Waves - MCAT Practice - Physics

Which term is defined as the maximum displacement of a wave from its rest position?
Amplitude






The distance between two consecutive troughs of a wave is known as the:
Wavelength (λ)






If a wave completes 10 cycles in 5 seconds, its frequency is:
2 Hz






The time required for a single wave cycle to complete is called the:
Period






Which type of wave involves particle oscillation parallel to the direction of wave propagation?
Longitudinal waves






Light is a classic example of a wave where the displacement of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. This is a:
Transverse wave






What is the SI unit for frequency?
Hertz (Hz)






The concept of Displacement (x) in wave mechanics is a:
Vector quantity






The period (T) of a wave is mathematically related to its frequency (f) by the equation:
T = 1/f






Which equation correctly relates wave speed (v), frequency (f), and wavelength (λ)?
v = fλ






Angular Frequency (ω) is a measure of:
Angular displacement per unit time






The superposition of two waves exactly in phase with each other will result in:
Constructive interference






What occurs when two waves are exactly out of phase, leading to a resultant wave amplitude equal to the difference in the interfering amplitudes?
Destructive interference






The general way in which waves interact in space to form a resultant wave is called:
Interference






A wave with continuously shifting points of maximum displacement that appears to move forward is best described as a:
Traveling wave






Points in a standing wave where the oscillation is zero are known as:
Nodes






Points of maximum oscillation in a standing wave are called:
Antinodes






The phenomenon where an external force causes an object to vibrate at its own natural frequency, significantly increasing its amplitude, is called:
Resonance






What physical characteristic of a wave is decreased by the process of damping?
Amplitude






Sound waves are classified as longitudinal waves because the particles of the medium vibrate:
Parallel to the direction the sound travels