A school cafeteria has thick padding installed along the walls and portions of the ceiling to reduce echoes. Which statement best explains the wave property this padding is taking advantage of?

Question

Refraction, because refracted waves have a lower intensity

Reflection, because reflected waves have a higher intensity

Absorption, because absorbed waves go into the media

Transmission, because transmitted waves move through media

Answer 1

The statement that best explains the wave property that the thick padding is taking advantage of is:

Absorption, because absorbed waves go into the media.

The padding in the cafeteria is designed to absorb sound waves, thereby reducing echoes by allowing the sound energy to be dissipated rather than reflected back into the space.