WCAS Waves and Their Applications 3

Question 1

What phenomenon occurs when two waves meet at the same point and their effects combine?

Accepted Answer

Interference

Answer

Interference occurs when two waves overlap; they can constructively interfere (adding together) or destructively interfere (canceling out).

Question 2

When a light wave bends as it passes from air into a glass lens, this is called:

Accepted Answer

Refraction

Answer

Refraction is the bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in wave speed.

Question 3

Which wave behavior allows waves to bend around the edges of obstacles or openings?

Accepted Answer

Diffraction

Answer

Diffraction is the spreading of waves around the edges of barriers or through openings, especially when the opening is close in size to the wavelength.

Question 4

The Doppler effect describes which phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

A change in the observed frequency of a wave when the source or observer is moving

Answer

The Doppler effect causes the observed frequency to increase as a wave source approaches and decrease as it moves away from the observer.

Question 5

According to the law of reflection, when a light ray bounces off a flat mirror, the angle of incidence equals:

Accepted Answer

The angle of reflection

Answer

The law of reflection states that the angle at which a wave hits a surface (angle of incidence) equals the angle at which it bounces off (angle of reflection).

WCAS - Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science Practice Test

WCAS - Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science Practice Test

WCAS Waves and Their Applications 3