Question

The image shows two students modeling a light wave by continuously moving the ends of the rope up and down. Source: Oxford Designers & Illustrators Ltd. Pearson Education Ltd How would the waves change if the students continued moving the ends of the rope up and down the same distance but moved the ends faster? (1 point) Responses The frequency would increase and the wavelength would decrease, but the amplitude would be unchanged. The frequency would increase and the wavelength would decrease, but the amplitude would be unchanged. The amplitude would increase and the frequency would decrease, but the wavelength would be unchanged. The amplitude would increase and the frequency would decrease, but the wavelength would be unchanged. The wavelength would increase and the amplitude would decrease, but the frequency would be unchanged. The wavelength would increase and the amplitude would decrease, but the frequency would be unchanged. The wavelength would increase and the frequency would decrease, but the amplitude would be unchanged.

Answer 1

If the students continue to move the ends of the rope up and down the same distance but move them faster, the following changes would occur in the wave characteristics:

• The frequency of the wave would increase because the ends of the rope are creating more cycles per unit of time.
• The wavelength would decrease because the wave is being produced more rapidly, resulting in shorter distances between successive peaks of the waves.
• The amplitude would remain unchanged since the vertical distance to which the students are moving the ends of the rope stays the same.

Thus, the correct response would be: The frequency would increase and the wavelength would decrease, but the amplitude would be unchanged.