NCAT BY SIR SHEHRAZ AHMAD

PHYSICS
(WAVES)

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Waves transport: Explanation: Sound requires a medium to

A. Only matter travel, hence it is a mechanical wave.
B. Only energy
C. Both matter and energy 5. Electromagnetic waves differ from
D. Neither matter nor energy mechanical waves because they:
Answer: B A. Travel slower
Explanation: Waves carry energy from one B. Require no medium
place to another without transporting matter. C. Are always transverse
D. Cannot travel in vacuum
2. The energy in a wave is carried by: Answer: B
A. Chemical reaction Explanation: Electromagnetic waves can
B. Electric current travel through a vacuum without any material
C. A disturbance from a source medium.
D. Heat conduction
Answer: C 6. Ultrasonic waves are mainly used for:
Explanation: Waves transfer energy through a A. Cooking food
disturbance that spreads from the source. B. Underwater communication
C. Heating metals
3. Mechanical waves propagate through: D. Producing electricity
A. Electric fields only Answer: B
B. Material medium Explanation: Ultrasonic waves travel long
C. Vacuum distances underwater and are used for
D. Magnetic fields only detection and communication.
Answer: B
Explanation: Mechanical waves need a 7. The waves that move away from the source
medium (like air, water, or solid) to travel. carrying energy are called:
A. Standing waves
4. Which of the following is an example of a B. Progressive waves
mechanical wave? C. Electromagnetic waves
A. Light wave D. Stationary waves
B. X-ray Answer: B
C. Sound wave Explanation: Progressive (or travelling) waves
D. Radio wave move outward from the source and transfer
Answer: C energy.

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8. Ripples formed on the surface of water are C. Random

examples of: D. Along the wave direction
A. Stationary waves Answer: D
B. Progressive waves Explanation: In longitudinal waves, particles
C. Shock waves move back and forth along the direction of
D. Electromagnetic waves wave propagation.
Answer: B
Explanation: Ripples spread outward from 13. Sound waves in air are:
where a pebble falls, showing progressive A. Transverse
wave motion. B. Longitudinal
C. Stationary
9. The medium for wave transmission in the D. Circular
rope experiment is: Answer: B
A. The air Explanation: Sound waves travel in air
B. The rope itself through compressions and rarefactions,
C. The table making them longitudinal.
D. The hand movement
Answer: B 14. Transverse waves can easily be set up in:
Explanation: The wave travels through the A. Solids
rope as the medium. B. Liquids
C. Gases
10. A single disturbance that travels along a D. Plasma
medium is known as a: Answer: A
A. Continuous wave Explanation: Transverse waves can exist in
B. Pulse solids but die out quickly in fluids.
C. Crest
D. Periodic wave 15. A continuous and rhythmic disturbance in
Answer: B a medium produces:
Explanation: A pulse wave results from one A. Pulse wave
sudden disturbance. B. Periodic wave
C. Shock wave
11. In a transverse wave, particle D. Static wave
displacement is: Answer: B
A. Parallel to wave direction Explanation: A periodic wave is produced by
B. Opposite to wave direction regular vibrations of the source.
C. Perpendicular to wave direction
D. Circular to wave direction 16. The distance between two consecutive
Answer: C crests is called:
Explanation: In transverse waves, particles A. Frequency
move up and down while the wave moves B. Amplitude
horizontally. C. Wavelength
D. Period
12. In a longitudinal wave, the particle Answer: C
displacement is: Explanation: Wavelength (λ) is the distance
A. Perpendicular to the wave between two successive crests or troughs.
B. Circular

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17. The maximum displacement from the D. Peaks

mean position is known as: Answer: C
A. Frequency Explanation: Crests are the highest points
B. Amplitude above the equilibrium position in a transverse
C. Period wave.
D. Velocity
Answer: B 22. The points on a wave that vibrate in the
Explanation: Amplitude represents the same phase are separated by a distance of:
maximum displacement of particles from A. λ/2
their rest position. B. λ
C. 2λ
18. The number of vibrations per second is D. Both B and C
called: Answer: D
A. Amplitude Explanation: Points separated by λ, 2λ, 3λ,
B. Wavelength etc., are in the same phase.
C. Period
D. Frequency 23. Two points on a wave are said to be “out
Answer: D of phase” if they differ by:
Explanation: Frequency (f) is defined as the A. λ
number of complete oscillations per second. B. λ/4
C. λ/2
19. The relationship between wave speed (v), D. 2λ
frequency (f), and wavelength (λ) is: Answer: C
A. v = f × λ Explanation: Points separated by half a
B. v = λ / f wavelength (λ/2) are 180° or one-half period
C. v = f / λ out of phase.
D. v = λ × T
Answer: A 24. The unit of wave frequency is:
Explanation: Wave speed equals frequency A. Joule
multiplied by wavelength: v = fλ. B. Hertz
C. Meter
20. The crest of a wave moves one D. Second
wavelength in: Answer: B
A. One second Explanation: Frequency is measured in Hertz
B. One period (Hz), which means cycles per second.
C. One minute
D. One amplitude 25. The wave pattern generated by a source
Answer: B executing simple harmonic motion resembles
Explanation: A crest moves one wavelength a:
during one complete period of oscillation. A. Square wave
B. Sine wave
21. In a transverse periodic wave, the high C. Triangular wave
points are called: D. Irregular wave
A. Nodes Answer: B
B. Troughs Explanation: The shape of a periodic
C. Crests

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mechanical wave produced by SHM is 30. The displacements of spring elements

sinusoidal. from equilibrium positions are proportional
to:
26. In a longitudinal wave, the particles of the A. Temperature
medium move: B. Thread inclination
A. Up and down C. Pressure
B. In circular paths D. Time only
C. Back and forth along the wave direction Answer: B
D. Randomly Explanation: In the spring experiment, the
Answer: C displacements of supporting threads show
Explanation: In longitudinal waves, particles the displacements of spring elements.
vibrate back and forth in the same direction
as the wave travels. 31. The most common example of a
longitudinal or compressional wave is:
27. The stretched regions in a longitudinal A. Light wave
wave are called: B. Sound wave
A. Crests C. Water wave
B. Rarefactions D. Radio wave
C. Troughs Answer: B
D. Nodes Explanation: Sound waves are longitudinal
Answer: B waves that travel through compressions and
Explanation: Rarefactions are regions where rarefactions.
the medium is stretched or expanded.
32. The speed of sound in a medium depends
28. The compressed regions in a longitudinal upon:
wave are known as: A. Its color
A. Crests B. Its compressibility and density
B. Nodes C. Its mass only
C. Compressions D. Its thickness
D. Rarefactions Answer: B
Answer: C Explanation: The speed of sound depends on
Explanation: Compressions are regions where both the elastic modulus (compressibility) and
the particles are close together in a density of the medium.
longitudinal wave.
33. The formula for the speed of sound in a
29. Longitudinal waves can also be called: medium is:
A. Elastic waves A. v = √(ρ/E)
B. Shock waves B. v = Eρ
C. Compressional waves C. v = √(E/ρ)
D. Transverse waves D. v = ρ/E
Answer: C Answer: C
Explanation: Longitudinal waves are also Explanation: The speed of sound is given by v
called compressional waves because they = √(E/ρ), where E is the elastic modulus and ρ
involve compression and rarefaction. is the density.

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34. The speed of sound is higher in: C. Constant pressure

A. Gases D. Constant volume
B. Solids Answer: B
C. Liquids Explanation: Laplace suggested that sound
D. Vacuum waves cause rapid compressions and
Answer: B expansions that are adiabatic.
Explanation: Sound travels fastest in solids
because their molecules are closely packed 39. The corrected formula for the speed of
and transmit vibrations quickly. sound in a gas is:
A. v = √(γP/ρ)
35. According to Newton’s formula, the speed B. v = √(Pγρ)
of sound in air is proportional to: C. v = γP/ρ
A. √(P/ρ) D. v = ρ/(γP)
B. Pρ Answer: A
C. √(ρ/P) Explanation: Laplace’s law gives v = √(γP/ρ),
D. 1/P where γ is the ratio of specific heats.
Answer: A
Explanation: Newton proposed v = √(P/ρ) 40. For air, the value of γ (ratio of specific
where P is pressure and ρ is density. heats) is approximately:
A. 1.2
36. Newton’s formula gave a speed of sound B. 1.3
in air as: C. 1.4
A. 200 m/s D. 1.5
B. 280 m/s Answer: C
C. 332 m/s Explanation: For diatomic gases like air, γ =
D. 350 m/s 1.4.
Answer: B
Explanation: Newton’s calculation gave 280 41. The speed of sound in air using Laplace’s
m/s, which was lower than the experimental correction is:
value. A. 280 m/s
B. 333 m/s
37. The experimentally observed speed of C. 310 m/s
sound in air is about: D. 350 m/s
A. 250 m/s Answer: B
B. 280 m/s Explanation: Using Laplace’s correction, v =
C. 332 m/s 333 m/s, matching the experimental value.
D. 400 m/s
Answer: C 42. The speed of sound is independent of:
Explanation: The correct experimental value A. Temperature
for the speed of sound in air at S.T.P. is 332 B. Pressure
m/s. C. Density
D. Nature of gas
38. Laplace corrected Newton’s formula by Answer: B
considering: Explanation: Since both pressure and density
A. Isothermal changes change proportionally, the speed of sound is
B. Adiabatic changes unaffected by pressure variation.

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NCAT BY SIR SHEHRAZ AHMAD

43. The speed of sound is inversely Answer: C

proportional to the square root of: Explanation: At 0°C, the speed of sound in air
A. Temperature is about 332 m/s.
B. Density
C. Pressure 48. The mathematical relation between
D. Elastic modulus speeds at two temperatures is:
Answer: B A. vt / v₀ = √(1 + t/273)
Explanation: For gases with the same γ, speed B. vt / v₀ = √(1 – t/273)
∝ 1/√(density). C. vt / v₀ = 1 + t/273
D. vt / v₀ = 1 – t/546
44. The speed of sound in hydrogen Answer: A
compared to oxygen is: Explanation: Speed varies directly as the
A. Same square root of absolute temperature: vt / v₀ =
B. Twice √(1 + t/273).
C. Four times
D. Sixteen times 49. When a jet plane flies faster than the
Answer: C speed of sound, the effect produced is called:
Explanation: Since oxygen is 16 times denser, A. Echo
sound travels four times faster in hydrogen. B. Resonance
C. Sonic boom
45. The speed of sound increases with: D. Shock wave
A. Increase in density Answer: C
B. Decrease in temperature Explanation: When an object exceeds sound
C. Increase in temperature speed, a conical shock wave forms, producing
D. Decrease in elasticity a sonic boom.
Answer: C
Explanation: As temperature rises, the air 50. The speed of sound varies directly as:
expands, reducing density and increasing the A. Pressure of gas
speed of sound. B. Density of gas
C. Square root of temperature
46. The relation between speed of sound and D. Cube of temperature
temperature in °C is given by: Answer: C
A. vt = v₀ + 0.51t Explanation: The speed of sound increases
B. vt = v₀ + 0.61t with the square root of the absolute
C. vt = v₀ + 0.71t temperature of the medium.
D. vt = v₀ + 1.61t
Answer: B 51. The principle of superposition states that
Explanation: The approximate formula is vt = when two or more waves act simultaneously
v₀ + 0.61t, where t is temperature in °C. on a particle, the resultant displacement is
the:
47. The speed of sound at 0°C is A. Product of individual displacements
approximately: B. Sum of individual displacements
A. 280 m/s C. Difference of individual displacements
B. 310 m/s D. Average of individual displacements
C. 332 m/s Answer: B
D. 350 m/s Explanation: According to the principle of

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superposition, the resultant displacement of a D. Emit waves in different directions

particle acted upon by several waves equals Answer: C
the algebraic sum of displacements due to Explanation: Coherent sources have a
individual waves. constant phase difference, necessary for
producing stable interference patterns.
52. When two waves are exactly in phase, the
resultant amplitude is: 56. The condition for constructive
A. Zero interference is:
B. Half of one wave A. ΔS = (2n + 1)λ/2
C. Equal to the sum of both amplitudes B. ΔS = nλ
D. Equal to the difference of both amplitudes C. ΔS = λ/4
Answer: C D. ΔS = n/2 λ
Explanation: In-phase waves undergo Answer: B
constructive interference, resulting in an Explanation: When the path difference (ΔS)
amplitude equal to the sum of individual equals an integer multiple of wavelength (nλ),
amplitudes. constructive interference occurs.

53. When two waves are exactly out of phase, 57. The condition for destructive interference
the resultant displacement is: is:
A. Maximum A. ΔS = (2n + 1)λ/2
B. Zero B. ΔS = nλ
C. Half of amplitude C. ΔS = λ
D. Infinite D. ΔS = n/4 λ
Answer: B Answer: A
Explanation: Out-of-phase waves cancel each Explanation: Destructive interference
other, producing zero resultant happens when the path difference is an odd
displacement—this is destructive multiple of half the wavelength.
interference.
58. Beats are formed due to the:
54. Interference of sound waves occurs when: A. Reflection of waves
A. Waves of different frequencies travel in B. Refraction of waves
different directions C. Interference of two waves of slightly
B. Waves of the same frequency travel in the different frequencies
same direction D. Diffraction of waves
C. Waves of the same frequency travel in Answer: C
opposite directions Explanation: Beats occur because of the
D. Waves travel through different media interference of two sound waves with slightly
Answer: B different frequencies.
Explanation: Interference is produced by the
superposition of two waves of the same 59. The number of beats per second equals:
frequency traveling in the same direction. A. Sum of the two frequencies
B. Product of the two frequencies
55. Coherent sources are those which: C. Difference between the two frequencies
A. Have different frequencies D. Half the sum of the two frequencies
B. Emit waves of random phases Answer: C
C. Emit waves of constant phase difference Explanation: Beat frequency = |f₁ – f₂|, the

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NCAT BY SIR SHEHRAZ AHMAD

absolute difference between the two sound rarer medium occurs without any phase
frequencies. change.

60. If two tuning forks of frequencies 300 Hz 64. Stationary waves are formed due to:
and 304 Hz are sounded together, the A. Reflection of waves from rigid boundary
number of beats heard per second will be: B. Refraction of waves in a new medium
A. 2 C. Superposition of two waves moving in the
B. 4 same direction
C. 6 D. Superposition of two waves moving in
D. 8 opposite directions
Answer: B Answer: D
Explanation: Beats per second = |304 – 300| Explanation: Stationary waves result from the
= 4 beats per second. superposition of two waves of equal
frequency traveling in opposite directions.
61. When the difference between the
frequencies of two sounds exceeds 10 Hz, 65. The points on a stationary wave that
beats: remain at rest are called:
A. Become faster A. Antinodes
B. Become inaudible B. Nodes
C. Increase in amplitude C. Crests
D. Are amplified D. Rarefactions
Answer: B Answer: B
Explanation: The ear cannot distinguish beats Explanation: Nodes are points where
when the frequency difference is greater than destructive interference keeps displacement
about 10 Hz. always zero.

62. When a wave traveling in a rarer medium 66. The points on a stationary wave having
strikes a denser medium, it is reflected with: maximum amplitude are called:
A. No phase change A. Crests
B. A phase change of 90° B. Nodes
C. A phase change of 180° C. Antinodes
D. A frequency change D. Beats
Answer: C Answer: C
Explanation: Reflection from a denser Explanation: Antinodes are points of
medium causes a phase change of 180°, maximum amplitude caused by constructive
meaning a crest becomes a trough. interference.

63. When a wave traveling in a denser 67. The distance between two consecutive
medium strikes a rarer medium, it is nodes in a stationary wave is:
reflected: A. λ
A. With a phase change of 180° B. λ/4
B. Without any phase change C. λ/2
C. With reduced frequency D. 2λ
D. With inverted amplitude Answer: C
Answer: B Explanation: The distance between
Explanation: Reflection at the boundary of a

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consecutive nodes (or antinodes) is half of the 72. The wavelength of the fundamental mode
wavelength. of vibration in a stretched string of length l is:
A. λ = l
68. The distance between a node and the B. λ = 2l
next antinode is: C. λ = 3l
A. λ/2 D. λ = 4l
B. λ/4 Answer: B
C. λ Explanation: For the fundamental mode, the
D. 2λ string length equals half the wavelength (l =
Answer: B λ/2), so λ = 2l.
Explanation: Nodes and antinodes are
separated by a quarter of the wavelength. 73. The frequency of a vibrating string
depends on:
69. In a stationary wave, energy: A. Its length
A. Travels along the wave B. Its tension
B. Remains confined between nodes C. Its mass per unit length
C. Is transferred through the medium D. All of these
D. Dissipates continuously Answer: D
Answer: B Explanation: The frequency of vibration is
Explanation: Energy in stationary waves affected by string length, tension, and linear
remains trapped between nodes, alternating density.
between potential and kinetic forms.
74. Beats can be used for:
70. Stationary waves in a stretched string are A. Measuring wavelength
produced when: B. Measuring frequency difference
A. The ends are free C. Measuring sound intensity
B. One end is fixed and one is free D. Measuring sound velocity
C. Both ends are clamped Answer: B
D. The string is not under tension Explanation: Beats help determine small
Answer: C frequency differences between two sources,
Explanation: Clamped ends act as nodes, useful for tuning instruments.
creating stationary waves in the stretched
string. 75. In a stationary wave, if the length of string
equals one wavelength, the number of loops
71. In the fundamental mode of a stretched formed will be:
string, there is: A. One
A. One node and one antinode B. Two
B. Two nodes and one antinode C. Three
C. Two antinodes and one node D. Four
D. Three nodes Answer: B
Answer: B Explanation: Each loop corresponds to half a
Explanation: The string has two fixed nodes wavelength, so one wavelength produces two
at the ends and one antinode at the center in loops in the string.
its fundamental mode.

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76. When a string vibrates in two loops, its and observer

frequency becomes: C) The wave speed changes
A) Half of the fundamental frequency D) The medium is moving
B) Double the fundamental frequency Answer: B) There is relative motion between
C) Triple the fundamental frequency source and observer
D) Same as the fundamental frequency Explanation: The Doppler effect describes the
Answer: B) Double the fundamental apparent change in frequency due to relative
frequency motion of source and observer.
Explanation: In the second mode (two loops),
the frequency (f_2 = 2f_1). It is the second 81. When a source moves toward a stationary
harmonic. observer, the observed frequency:
A) Increases
77. The set of discrete frequencies like f, 2f, B) Decreases
3f, ... is known as: C) Remains constant
A) Harmonic series D) Becomes zero
B) Frequency spectrum Answer: A) Increases
C) Resonance pattern Explanation: The waves get compressed,
D) Wave spectrum reducing wavelength and increasing
Answer: A) Harmonic series frequency.
Explanation: These frequencies are integer
multiples of the fundamental frequency, 82. When a source moves away from a
called harmonics. stationary observer, the observed
wavelength:
78. In a pipe open at both ends, the ends act A) Becomes shorter
as: B) Becomes longer
A) Nodes C) Remains unchanged
B) Antinodes D) Becomes zero
C) One node and one antinode Answer: B) Becomes longer
D) Points of zero vibration Explanation: The source moving away causes
Answer: B) Antinodes stretching of waves, increasing wavelength
Explanation: At open ends, air molecules and lowering frequency.
vibrate freely, forming antinodes.
83. The Doppler effect was first studied by:
79. In a pipe closed at one end, the closed A) Newton
end acts as: B) Huygens
A) Antinode C) Johann Doppler
B) Node D) Maxwell
C) Neutral point Answer: C) Johann Doppler
D) Point of maximum vibration Explanation: Johann Doppler first explained
Answer: B) Node the frequency change in light and sound due
Explanation: At the closed end, air motion is to motion.
restricted, so a node is formed.
84. The Doppler effect is applicable to which
80. The Doppler effect occurs when: type of waves?
A) The source and observer are stationary A) Sound waves only
B) There is relative motion between source B) Light waves only

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C) All types of waves Explanation: Doppler effect is used in medical

D) Mechanical waves only ultrasound, radar systems, and speed
Answer: C) All types of waves detection devices.
Explanation: The effect applies to both
mechanical (sound) and electromagnetic 89. SONAR works on the principle of:
(light, radio) waves. A) Reflection of light
B) Echo and Doppler effect
85. The shift in frequency due to the Doppler C) Diffraction of sound
effect is called: D) Refraction of sound
A) Frequency drift Answer: B) Echo and Doppler effect
B) Doppler shift Explanation: SONAR uses sound reflection
C) Harmonic motion and frequency shift to locate underwater
D) Resonance objects.
Answer: B) Doppler shift
Explanation: The change in observed 90. In radar speed traps, microwaves
frequency or wavelength is known as the reflected from moving cars show:
Doppler shift. A) Constant wavelength
B) Doppler shift
86. In astronomy, a star moving toward Earth C) Magnetic interference
shows a: D) No reflection
A) Blue shift Answer: B) Doppler shift
B) Red shift Explanation: The radar measures the change
C) Green shift in frequency (Doppler shift) of reflected
D) No shift microwaves to calculate speed.
Answer: A) Blue shift
Explanation: When stars move toward us,
wavelengths shorten, shifting toward the blue
end of the spectrum.

87. A star moving away from the Earth shows:

A) Blue shift
B) Red shift
C) Yellow shift
D) Violet shift
Answer: B) Red shift
Explanation: Wavelengths lengthen when a
star recedes, shifting the spectrum toward
the red end.

88. The Doppler effect is used in which of the

following applications?
A) Measuring blood flow
B) Determining vehicle speed
C) Radar detection
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above

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