Directions: Read the passage about waves of different wavelengths, frequencies, and amplitudes.

Question

A student wonders why some sounds are louder than others and some music notes are softer and at a lower pitch than others. He decides to do some research to find out what properties of waves cause these changes.

First, he learns that a wave is a repeating pattern with a specific wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. The amplitude of a wave is the maximum distance above or below the equilibrium. The energy of one wave is found by calculating the square of the wave's amplitude. Frequency is the number of times the wave pattern repeats. The amount of energy transferred by the wave is proportional to its frequency. For example, in sound waves the amplitude of the wave is related to its loudness and the frequency is related to its pitch.

In his research, the student discovers some graphs that help him to understand how the properties of waves affect their energy.

Graph 1 shows the amplitudes (in meters) of three waves (labeled wave 1, 2, and 3) traveling through a medium over time (in seconds).

Graph 2 shows a different set of three waves (labeled wave X, Y, and Z) traveling in a medium.

Multiple Choice Question
Which answer choice arranges the waves shown in Graph 1 by increasing order of energy?
A.
wave 1, wave 2, wave 3

B.
wave 2, wave 3, wave 1

C.
wave 1, wave 3, wave 2

D.
wave 3, wave 2, wave 1

Answer 1

To determine the increasing order of energy for the waves shown in Graph 1, we need to consider the amplitude of each wave. The energy of a wave is proportional to the square of its amplitude.

1. If wave 1 has the lowest amplitude, followed by wave 2 with a medium amplitude, and wave 3 with the highest amplitude, then the order by increasing energy would be:
   • Wave 1 (lowest energy)
   • Wave 2 (medium energy)
   • Wave 3 (highest energy)

Given this understanding, the correct answer choice that arranges the waves by increasing order of energy would be:

A. wave 1, wave 2, wave 3

(Note: Without the actual graphs, I am making an assumption based on the typical understanding of wave properties. For a precise answer, please refer to the specific amplitudes shown in Graph 1.)