Optics, Waves, and Quantum - SAT Subject Test in Physics
Card 0 of 7
A train blows its whistle as it approaches a station at 
. If the sound emitted by the whistle has a frequency of 
, what is the frequency of the sound heard by the people at the station?
A train blows its whistle as it approaches a station at
Wave frequency is distorted when the observer or source is in motion based on the Doppler effect. The equation for the Doppler effect is:
Terms in the numerator are summed if the observer moves toward the source. Terms in the denominator are summed if the source is moving away from the observer.
In this question, the train (source) is moving toward the observer. This means that the denominator terms will be subtracted. The velocity of the observer is zero, giving us our final equation:
Use the given values for the emitted frequency, velocity of the train, and speed of sound to solve this equation.
Wave frequency is distorted when the observer or source is in motion based on the Doppler effect. The equation for the Doppler effect is:
Terms in the numerator are summed if the observer moves toward the source. Terms in the denominator are summed if the source is moving away from the observer.
In this question, the train (source) is moving toward the observer. This means that the denominator terms will be subtracted. The velocity of the observer is zero, giving us our final equation:
Use the given values for the emitted frequency, velocity of the train, and speed of sound to solve this equation.
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A dog is stationary in someone's front yard and barks at a frequency of 
. Which of the following could explain why an observer hears a frequency of 
?
A dog is stationary in someone's front yard and barks at a frequency of
The doppler effect states that the observed frequency depends on the frequency produced, and the relative velocities of the observer and sound source:
To increase the observed frequency the sound source and the observer must be moving towards each other. Since the dog is stationary, therefore the observer must be moving towards the dog.
The doppler effect states that the observed frequency depends on the frequency produced, and the relative velocities of the observer and sound source:
To increase the observed frequency the sound source and the observer must be moving towards each other. Since the dog is stationary, therefore the observer must be moving towards the dog.
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Of the following, which type of waves has the longest wavelength?
Of the following, which type of waves has the longest wavelength?
Wavelength and frequency have an inverse relationship; as one value increases, the other value decreases. In contrast, frequency and wave energy have a direct relationship; as one term increases, the other increases as well.
In the electromagnetic spectrum all wave types have the same velocity, but some have greater energy (and frequency) than others. Gamma rays have the highest energy, while radio waves have the lowest. In order from lowest energy to highest, the types of electromagnetic waves are radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Of the given answer options, microwaves have the lowest energy. This means they will also have the lowest frequency, and largest wavelength.
Wavelength and frequency have an inverse relationship; as one value increases, the other value decreases. In contrast, frequency and wave energy have a direct relationship; as one term increases, the other increases as well.
In the electromagnetic spectrum all wave types have the same velocity, but some have greater energy (and frequency) than others. Gamma rays have the highest energy, while radio waves have the lowest. In order from lowest energy to highest, the types of electromagnetic waves are radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Of the given answer options, microwaves have the lowest energy. This means they will also have the lowest frequency, and largest wavelength.
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Which of the following scenarios would result in the polarization of light?
Which of the following scenarios would result in the polarization of light?
Light is polarized when it is all oscillating in the same direction. This effect occurs when light is reflected. Polarization can occur through refraction, however if light is passing between mediums with the same index of refraction, the light will not refract.
Light is polarized when it is all oscillating in the same direction. This effect occurs when light is reflected. Polarization can occur through refraction, however if light is passing between mediums with the same index of refraction, the light will not refract.
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Light passes from a medium with some index of refraction 
at 25 degrees from perpendicular and exits into another medium with an index of refraction of 1.5 at an angle of 35 degrees. What is the value of 
?
Light passes from a medium with some index of refraction
Snell's law states:
If we substitute the values from the question we get:
Next rearrange to isolate 
Snell's law states:
If we substitute the values from the question we get:
Next rearrange to isolate
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What is the wavelength of a 
wave if its velocity is 
?
What is the wavelength of a
The relationship between wavelength and velocity is given by the equation;
The question gives us the velocity of the wave and its frequency. Using these values, we can solve for the wavelength.
The relationship between wavelength and velocity is given by the equation;
The question gives us the velocity of the wave and its frequency. Using these values, we can solve for the wavelength.
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What best describes how a wave is affected when it travels from one medium to another medium?
What best describes how a wave is affected when it travels from one medium to another medium?
It is a property of waves that the frequency remains constant and speed changes as it passes from one medium to another.
It is a property of waves that the frequency remains constant and speed changes as it passes from one medium to another.
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