High School Physics : Waves
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Physics
All High School Physics Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Waves, Sound, And Light
A bird chirps 
There is insufficient information to solve
The problem gives us a frequency in chirps per second. This is the same as 
Period is given by the reciprocal of frequency.
Using our known frequency, we can solve for the period.
Example Question #1 : Understanding Calculations With Velocity
A spring oscillates back and forth with a period of 
Velocity is commonly described with respect to wavelength and frequency.
We are given the period and the wavelength. Period is simply the inverse of freqeuncy.
Using this, we can rewrite our original equation in terms of the period.
Now we can use the values given in the question to solve for the velocity.
Plug in our given values and solve.
Example Question #2 : Understanding Calculations With Velocity
A wave oscillates with a frequency of 
The equation for velocity in terms of wavelength and frequency is 
We are given the velocity and frequency. Using these values, we can solve for the wavelength.
Example Question #3 : Understanding Calculations With Velocity
A note is played in a gas (which is not a normal atmosphere). Inside of this gas, the note has a frequency of 
The relationship between velocity, frequency, and wavelength is:
Plug in the given information to solve:
Example Question #61 : Waves, Sound, And Light
In seismology, the 
Parallel
First parallel, then perpendicular
Perpendicular
First perpendicular, then parallel
Parallel
Longitudinal waves are waves whose particles travel parallel to the direction that the wave itself is traveling. Sound waves are another example of longitudinal waves.
Example Question #2 : Types Of Waves
Which of the following waves require a medium to travel?
Microwaves
Light Waves
Sound Waves
Sound Waves
Electromagnetic waves are the only type of wave that do not require a medium to travel. Light, radio and microwaves are examples of electromagnetic waves. Sound does require a medium to travel. In a vacuum sound waves cannot travel as there is no air to compress.
Example Question #62 : Waves, Sound, And Light
In a vacuum, the velocity of all electromagnetic waves
depends on the frequency
depends on the amplitude
Is nearly
Is zero
Is nearly
Electromagnetic waves all travel at the same speed which is the speed of light. The speed of light in a vacuum is nearly
Example Question #4 : Types Of Waves
A radio station broadcasts at a frequency of 
The relationship between wavelength and frequency is given by the equation 
We are given the values for frequency and the speed of light, allowing us to solve for the wavelength.
Example Question #63 : Waves, Sound, And Light
In seismology, the 
First parallel, then perpendicular
First perpendicular, then parallel
Perpendicular
Parallel
Perpendicular
Transverse waves are waves whose particles travel perpendicular to the direction that the wave itself is traveling. Electromagnetic waves are another example of transverse waves.
Example Question #1 : Properties Of Waves
After exercising, Jane takes her pulse. She realizes that her heart is beating rapidly, approximately four beats every second. What is the period of her elevated heart rate?
When you see a relationship like "times every second" or "once per hour," these are hints you are looking at a frequency. Frequency is, effectively, how often something happens. If it happens four times per second, then we know how often it happens. The units "per second" are equivalent to Hertz.
The relationship between frequency and period is 
Since our given frequency was four beats per second, or 
This means that her heart beats once every 
All High School Physics Resources
