Mica is investigating the speed of waves. She hypothesizes that waves travel at different speeds depending on the media. She sets up an experiment where she sends two different waves through air, water, and glass. She keeps the temperature of each medium constant and measures the speed of the waves as they travel through each medium. The data table shows her results.

Question

Wave Air Water Glass
1 299,700 (km/s) 225,260 (km/s) 200,000 (km/s)
2 .331 (km/s) 1.482 (km/s) 5.640 (km/s)
Multiple Choice Question
What would be the most likely result if Mica performed the same experiment again, but she sent both waves through a vacuum instead of air, water, and glass?
A.
Wave Vacuum
1 0 (km/s)
2 0 (km/s)
B.
Wave Vacuum
1 0 (km/s)
2 .259 (km/s)
C.
Wave Vacuum
1 299,792 (km/s)
2 0 (km/s)
D.
Wave Vacuum
1 299,792 (km/s)
2 .259 (km/s)

Answer 1

To answer this question, we need to consider how different types of waves travel through different media, including a vacuum.

1. Wave 1 appears to be an electromagnetic wave (like light), which travels at a speed of approximately 299,792 km/s in a vacuum. This is close to the speed of light in a vacuum, which is the maximum speed for any wave.

2. Wave 2 (given the significantly lower speeds in air, water, and glass) is likely a sound wave. Sound waves require a medium to propagate and do not travel through a vacuum at all, resulting in a speed of 0 km/s.

Based on these considerations, here's what we conclude for the vacuum:

• For Wave 1: It would travel at its maximum speed of approximately 299,792 km/s.
• For Wave 2: It would not travel at all in a vacuum, resulting in a speed of 0 km/s.

According to these observations, the only option that reflects this outcome is:

C.
Wave Vacuum
1 299,792 (km/s)
2 0 (km/s)

Thus, the correct answer is C.