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Quizzes > Science

Sound Wave Test: Check Your Understanding of Frequency and Pitch

Quick, free sound wave quiz to test your physics knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Konstantin MlechkoUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of layered audio waves and physics symbols with quiz icons on dark blue background.

This quiz helps you check your understanding of sound waves, especially frequency and pitch. Answer quick questions, see clear feedback, and connect ideas like amplitude, wavelength, and resonance to sounds you hear every day. For deeper practice, try our waves unit test, build skills with a physics waves quiz, or explore reflections and bending with refraction in waves.

What is the SI unit used to measure frequency?
Decibel
Pascal
Hertz
Meter
Frequency is defined as the number of cycles per second and its SI unit is named after Heinrich Hertz. It is abbreviated as Hz. This unit quantifies how often a periodic event repeats.
In a sound wave, the region where particles are densely packed is called what?
Crest
Trough
Compression
Rarefaction
Sound waves are longitudinal, consisting of alternating compressions (high pressure) and rarefactions (low pressure). The compression region is where particles are pushed together. This is essential for transmitting sound energy.
Sound waves are classified as which type of mechanical wave?
Surface wave
Electromagnetic wave
Transverse wave
Longitudinal wave
In longitudinal waves, particle displacement is parallel to the wave's propagation direction. Sound travels through compressions and rarefactions in the medium. Transverse waves, by contrast, oscillate perpendicular to propagation.
Among these media, sound travels fastest through which one?
Air
Vacuum
Water
Steel
Sound requires a medium to propagate and travels fastest in solids because particles are closely packed. In steel, typical speed is around 5,000 m/s. In gases like air, it's much slower (~343 m/s).
Which equation correctly relates wave speed (v), frequency (f), and wavelength (?)?
v = ?f
? = vf
v = f/?
f = v + ?
The fundamental wave relation states that wave speed equals wavelength multiplied by frequency. This holds for all types of waves, including sound. It lets you calculate one parameter if you know the other two.
What is the approximate speed of sound in air at room temperature (20 °C)?
3400 m/s
300 m/s
1500 m/s
343 m/s
At 20 °C, the speed of sound in dry air is about 343 m/s. Temperature, humidity, and pressure affect this value slightly. It increases with temperature because molecules move faster.
Which term describes the number of wave cycles that occur per second?
Velocity
Frequency
Amplitude
Period
Frequency is defined as the number of complete oscillations per second, measured in hertz (Hz). The period is the inverse of frequency. Amplitude and velocity refer to other wave properties.
An increase in the amplitude of a sound wave is perceived by the human ear as what change?
Lower speed
Higher pitch
Higher frequency
Louder sound
Amplitude relates directly to the energy and intensity of a sound wave. Greater amplitude produces a louder perception in the ear. Pitch is determined by frequency, not amplitude.
Which phenomenon explains the apparent change in frequency of a sound when the source and observer are moving relative to each other?
Diffraction
Interference
Resonance
Doppler effect
The Doppler effect is the change in observed frequency due to relative motion between source and listener. It applies to sound, light, and other waves. Approaching sources increase frequency; receding sources decrease it.
What is the term for the phenomenon where two sound waves in phase reinforce each other?
Destructive interference
Constructive interference
Node formation
Antinode resonance
Constructive interference occurs when two waves meet in phase and their amplitudes add, producing a larger amplitude. This is key in standing wave formation and resonance phenomena. Destructive interference cancels waves out.
At which angle relative to the incoming wavefront is diffraction most pronounced?
90°
0°
45°
180°
Diffraction causes waves to bend around obstacles, with intensity peaking perpendicular to the original direction at about 90°. The effect is strongest when obstacle dimensions are comparable to the wavelength.
What is the acoustic impedance of a medium defined as?
Ratio of density to speed of sound
Ratio of pressure to volume
Product of pressure and particle velocity
Product of density and speed of sound
Acoustic impedance (Z) equals the product of the medium's density (?) and the speed of sound (c): Z = ?c. It characterizes how much resistance a medium offers to sound propagation.
A pipe closed at one end is 0.85 m long. What is its fundamental frequency if the speed of sound is 340 m/s?
100 Hz
150 Hz
50 Hz
200 Hz
For a tube closed at one end, the fundamental frequency is f? = v/(4L). Substituting v=340 m/s and L=0.85 m gives f? ? 340/(4×0.85) ? 100 Hz. Higher harmonics occur at odd multiples.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Sound Wave Fundamentals -

    Identify and describe key properties such as frequency, wavelength, and amplitude through the tstsoundwaves interactive quiz.

  2. Analyze Frequency and Amplitude Relationships -

    Examine how changes in frequency and amplitude affect pitch and loudness in the sound waves game simulations.

  3. Apply Wave Principles in Simulations -

    Use the sound wave game environment to manipulate variables and observe real-time effects on wave behavior.

  4. Evaluate Medium Effects on Sound Propagation -

    Assess how different materials and conditions impact the speed and attenuation of sound waves within the game scenarios.

  5. Predict Wave Interference and Resonance -

    Forecast outcomes of constructive and destructive interference as well as resonance phenomena using interactive challenges.

  6. Identify Real-World Applications -

    Connect core wave principles to practical scenarios such as musical acoustics, medical imaging, and communication technologies.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Fundamental Wave Properties -

    In the tstsoundwaves challenge, every sound waves game level tests your grasp of amplitude, frequency, and wavelength. Remember the core formula v = λ × f, which links wave speed to its frequency and wavelength - a mnemonic to recall is "Very Fast Waves." These basics are essential for predicting wave behavior in any sound wave game simulation.

  2. Medium Dependence of Sound Speed -

    Sound speed varies with the medium's bulk modulus and density, given by v = √(B/ϝ), as illustrated in University of Colorado Boulder resources. In air at 20°C, v ≈ 343 m/s, while in water it jumps to about 1480 m/s, a fact you'll apply in advanced sound waves game scenarios. Keeping this equation handy ensures success when the quiz pits you against different environments.

  3. Standing Waves and Resonance -

    Standing waves form when incident and reflected waves interfere, creating nodes of no motion and antinodes of maximum displacement; MIT OpenCourseWare covers these patterns in detail. In an open tube, resonance frequencies follow fₙ = n×v/(2L), where n is the harmonic number. Practicing this formula helps you ace questions in the sound wave game section on musical instruments and acoustic cavities.

  4. Doppler Effect and Frequency Shifts -

    The Doppler effect describes how observed frequency changes when source or listener moves, defined by f' = (v + v_obs)/(v - v_src) × f; NASA's guides offer a thorough breakdown. You'll notice pitch changes in the sound waves game when simulating sirens or moving objects, reinforcing the concept. Visualizing source motion in these simulations cements your understanding and confidence.

  5. Intensity, Loudness, and Decibels -

    Intensity (I) scales with the square of amplitude (I ∝ A²), and sound levels use β = 10 log₝₀(I/I₀), where I₀ is the threshold of hearing - American Institute of Physics details this clearly. Remember a mnemonic: "Double the amplitude, quadruple the intensity" to quickly estimate changes. You'll use decibel calculations throughout the sound waves game quiz to compare loudness across different challenges.

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