Wave MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Wave - Download Free PDF

Last updated on Jun 24, 2025

Latest Wave MCQ Objective Questions

Wave Question 1:

Name the high-frequency radiation produced in nuclear reactions and also emitted by radioactive nuclei that are used in medicine to destroy cancer cells.

  1. Gamma rays
  2. Ultraviolet waves
  3. Light waves
  4. X-rays
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Gamma rays

Wave Question 1 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is Gamma rays.

  • Gamma rays consist of high-energy waves that can travel great distances at the speed of light and generally have a great ability to penetrate other materials.
  • For that reason, gamma rays (such as from cobalt-60) are often used in medical applications to treat cancer and sterilize medical instruments.

Important Points

  • Ultraviolet (UV) light has shorter wavelengths than visible light.
    • The wavelength range is from 100-400 nm.
    • Although UV waves are invisible to the human eye, some insects, such as bumblebees, can see them.
    • This is similar to how a dog can hear the sound of a whistle just outside the hearing range of humans.
    • These invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun, that can burn the skin and cause skin cancer.
    • It is widely used in industrial processes and in medical and dental practices for a variety of purposes, such as killing bacteria, creating fluorescent effects, curing inks and resins, phototherapy, and suntanning.
  • Light radiates from a source in waves.
    • Each wave has two parts: an electric part, and a magnetic part. That's why light is called Electromagnetic Radiation.
    • Visible light is usually having wavelengths in the range of 400–700 nm (4.00 × 10⁻⁷ to 7.00 × 10⁻⁷ m), between the infrared and the ultraviolet.
  • X-rays have much higher energy and much shorter wavelengths than ultraviolet light.
    • X-rays have very small wavelengths, between 0.01 to 10 nanometers.
    • The use of x-rays is checking for fractures (broken bones), chest x-rays can spot pneumonia. Mammograms use x-rays to look for breast cancer.

Additional Information

  • X-rays were first observed and documented in 1895 by German scientist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen.
  • Radio waves, television waves, and microwaves are all types of electromagnetic waves.

 

Wave Question 2:

A concave mirror, when used to view an object, can produce different types of images depending on the object's distance from the mirror. Which of the following descriptions correctly matches the possible images formed by a concave mirror?

  1. A real, inverted, and magnified image when the object is placed very close to the mirror
  2. A virtual, erect, and magnified image when the object is placed between the focal point and the pole
  3. A real, inverted, and same size image when the object is placed beyond the center of curvature
  4. More than one of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : A virtual, erect, and magnified image when the object is placed between the focal point and the pole

Wave Question 2 Detailed Solution

CONCEPT:

Image Formation by a Concave Mirror

  • Concave Mirror: A concave mirror can form real or virtual images depending on the object's position relative to the mirror's focal point (F) and center of curvature (C).
  • Object Position and Image Characteristics:
    • Beyond the center of curvature: Real, inverted, and diminished image.
    • At the center of curvature: Real, inverted, and same size image.
    • Between the center of curvature and focal point: Real, inverted, and magnified image.
    • At the focal point: No image is formed because the reflected rays are parallel.
    • Between the focal point and mirror: Virtual, erect, and magnified image.

Explanation:-

  • A real, inverted, and magnified image when the object is placed very close to the mirror: When an object is very close to a concave mirror, specifically closer than the focal point, the image formed is virtual, erect, and magnified, not real and inverted. This statement is incorrect.
  • A virtual, erect, and magnified image when the object is placed between the focal point and the pole: This is the correct description for an object located within the focal length of a concave mirror. The image formed under these conditions is indeed virtual, erect, and magnified. This statement is correct.
  • A real, inverted, and same size image when the object is placed beyond the center of curvature: When an object is placed exactly at the center of curvature (C), the image formed is real, inverted, and of the same size as the object. However, when the object is placed beyond the center of curvature, the image is real, inverted, but diminished in size. Thus, this statement is incorrect.
  • More than one of the above: As we have determined that only Option 2 is correct, not "more than one" option is correct. Thus, this statement is incorrect.

Additional Information

  • Image Characteristics by Position: Understanding where the object is placed relative to F and C is crucial for predicting the type of image formed by a concave mirror.
  • Concave Mirror Applications: These mirrors are used in devices like telescopes, headlamps, and shaving mirrors due to their ability to magnify and focus light.

Wave Question 3:

Which of the following are used in dishwasher or to wash the machines?

  1. None of the above
  2. Both of the above
  3. Infra-sonic waves
  4. Ultra-sonic waves
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Ultra-sonic waves

Wave Question 3 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is Ultra sonic waves

Key Points

  •  Ultrasonic waves are used in the dishwasher or to wash the machines.
  • Objects to be cleaned are placed in a cleaning solution and ultrasonic waves are sent into the solution.
  • The particles of dust, grease, and dirt get detached and drop out due to the high frequency waves.
  • The objects thus get thoroughly cleaned.

Additional Information

Other important uses of Ultrasonic waves are :

  • Used to detect cracks and flaws in metal blocks.
  • Used for getting images of internal organs of the human body.
  • Used to measure the distance, direction and speed of underwater objects.
  • Bats search out prey and fly in the dark night by emitting and detecting reflections of ultrasonic waves.

Wave Question 4:

The speed of a wave is given by which of the following formulas?

  1. Speed = Time × Frequency
  2. Speed = Frequency × Amplitude
  3. Speed = Amplitude × Wavelength
  4. Speed = Frequency × Wavelength 

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Speed = Frequency × Wavelength 

Wave Question 4 Detailed Solution

The Correct answer is Speed = Frequency × Wavelength.

Key Points

  • The formula Speed = Frequency × Wavelength is fundamental to understanding wave physics.
  • The speed of a wave refers to how fast the wave propagates through a medium.
  • Frequency is the number of wave cycles that pass a given point per second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
  • The wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points of similar phase on the wave, such as crest to crest, measured in meters (m).
  • This relationship is derived from the fact that the speed of a wave is the distance a wave travels per unit of time.
  • The formula is applicable to various types of waves, including sound waves, light waves, and water waves.
  • For light waves in a vacuum, the speed is constant and equals the speed of light, approximately 3 × 108 m/s.
  • The formula is crucial for calculations in fields such as optics, acoustics, and electromagnetic wave theory.

Wave Question 5:

A reflecting surface is curved inwards. Now the mirror formed is-

  1. None of these
  2. Convex
  3. Concave
  4. Plane
  5. None of the above

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Concave

Wave Question 5 Detailed Solution

The correct answer is Concave.

  • Concave mirrors have reflecting surface curved inwards.
    • ​Concave mirrors reflect light inward to one focal point.
    • They are used to converge light.
    • Unlike convex mirrors, concave mirrors show different image types depending on the distance between the object and the mirror.

Additional Information

  • A convex mirror is a curved mirror where the reflecting surface is oriented towards the light source.
  • A concave mirror is a curved mirror where the reflecting surface is curved inward.
  • A curved mirror is a mirror with a curved reflective surface.
    • The surface may be bent inward (concave mirror) or maybe raised outward (convex mirror).

Top Wave MCQ Objective Questions

What type of waves are light wave?

  1. Transverse wave
  2. Longitudinal wave
  3. Both A & B
  4. None

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Transverse wave

Wave Question 6 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Wave: The disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another is called a wave.

There are mainly two types of waves:

  1. Transverse waves: The wave in which the movement of the particles is at right angles to the motion of the energy is called a transverse wave. Light is an example of a transverse wave.
  2. Longitudinal wave: The wave in which the movement of the particles is parallel to the motion of the energy is called a longitudinal wave. The sound wave is an example of a longitudinal wave.

EXPLANATION:

  • Light-wave is a transverse wave because its components vibrate perpendicular to its direction of propagation. So option 1 is correct.

Which of the following has the shortest wavelength?

  1. Visible rays
  2. Gamma rays
  3. Infrared rays
  4. X-rays

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Gamma rays

Wave Question 7 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Gamma Rays.

Key Points

  • Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength and highest frequency (energy) in the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • They are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths in the range of 10-12m and frequencies around 1020- 1024 Hz.
  • They have a high penetrating power.
  • They are a result of decaying radioactive material and can also be found in outer space.
  • They are used in medical applications for sterilisation of equipment and cancer treatment.

Additional Information

  •  Other radiations in the Electromagnetic spectrum are:

A man standing in between two parallel cliffs, he produces a sound and first echo is heard from cliff-2 after 2 seconds and second echo is heard from cliff-1 after 3 seconds. If the speed of sound in air 340 m/s. Find the distance between two cliffs.

  1. 425 m
  2. 170 m
  3. 850 m
  4. 340 m

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : 850 m

Wave Question 8 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is 850 m.

Key Points

  • Echo: If we shout or clap near a suitable reflecting object such as a tall building or a mountain, we will hear the same sound again a little later. This sound which we hear is called an echo.
  • Echoes are heard due to the phenomenon of Reflection of sound waves.
  • To hear the echo clearly, the reflecting object must be more than 17.2 m from the sound source for the echo to be heard by a person standing at the source.

Additional Information

Given,

Time taken to heard first echo (t1) = 2 sec

Time taken to heard second echo (t2) = 3 sec

Velocity of sound (v) = 340 m/s

Let d be the distance between two cliffs, x is the distance between the man and cliff 2, and (d - x) is the distance between the man and cliff 1.

The speed of sound is

The distance between the man and cliff 2 is 

⇒ 2x = v × t1

The distance between the man and cliff 1 is 

⇒ 2(d - x) = v × t2

⇒ d = (510 + 340) m = 850 m

Hence the correct option is 850 m.

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option.

The pitch of a sound depends on its_____.

  1. Frequency
  2. Wavelength
  3. Amplitude
  4. Timbre

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Frequency

Wave Question 9 Detailed Solution

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  • The pitch of a sound primarily depends on its frequency. Higher the frequency, higher is the pitch.
  • Loudness and spectrum are the other parameters on which the pitch of a sound depends.
  • The number of oscillations per unit time gives the frequency of the sound wave.
  • The wavelength of a sound wave is the distance between two consecutive compressions (C) or two consecutive rarefactions (R).
  • The amplitude is the maximum disturbance in the medium on either side of the mean value. It determines the loudness or softness of the sound.
  • The quality of sound that helps in differentiating the two different sounds, is termed as timbre.

When you increase the loudness of the ringtone of your mobile phone, the frequency of ringtone

  1. Increases
  2. decreases
  3. remains same
  4. cannot be determined

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : remains same

Wave Question 10 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is remains same.

Concept:
Sound

  • Sound is a form of energy which produces a sensation of hearing in our ears.
  • Sound is produced by vibrating objects. The matter or substance through which sound is transmitted is called a medium. It can be solid, liquid or gas. 

Explanation:

  • As the loudness of the mobile ringtone increases, the frequency of the ringtone remains same.
  • The loudness is expressed in a unit called decibel (dB). 
  • Loudness is the physical response of the ear to the intensity of sound.
  • A sound with more energy is referred to as a strong sound.
  • Loudness of sound is proportional to the square of the amplitude of the vibration producing the sound. 
  • Loudness ∝ (amplitude)2
  • The loudness of sound waves does not depend on the frequency of the sound waves. 
  • Loudness and Amplitude: Loudness is the perception of how intense or strong a sound seems to our ears. It is directly related to the amplitude of a sound wave.
    • Increasing the amplitude increases the loudness, while decreasing the amplitude decreases the loudness.
  • Frequency and Pitch: Frequency is the number of oscillations (cycles) that a sound wave completes in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
    • Pitch is the perceptual attribute of the sound that allows us to classify it as higher or lower; it is directly related to the frequency of the sound wave.
    • Higher frequency corresponds to a higher pitch, and lower frequency corresponds to a lower pitch.
  • Intensity and Energy: Intensity is the amount of energy a sound wave carries per unit area per unit time, and it is proportional to the square of the amplitude.

Higher intensity results in louder sounds but does not affect the frequency.

Mistake Points

  •  Loudness is related to amplitude.
  • Pitch is related to frequency.
  • Intensity is associated with energy of the sound wave and is proportional to amplitude squared.

Additional Information

  • When the amplitude is greater, the loudness of the sound is also higher. 
  • When the amplitude is low, the sound produced will be dim.

In which of the following media does sound travel the fastest?

  1. Gases
  2. Vacuum
  3. Liquids
  4. Solids

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : Solids

Wave Question 11 Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

  • Sound: A local disturbance whose propagation is facilitated by the collisions between particles this disturbance propagates in a longitudinal wave, imagine one molecule hitting the next molecule, and then that molecule hitting the next, and so forth.
    • It is a mechanical wave that needs a medium to travel.
    • The speed of sound is maximum in solid then it is in liquid and slowest in gases.
    • Speed of sound: The distance traveled per unit time by sound waves as it propagates through an elastic medium.

The velocity of sound  in a gaseous medium is given by:

Where P = pressure, ρ = density, and γ = ratio of two principal specific heats of the gas

  • The speed of sound remains almost the same for all frequencies in a given medium under the same physical conditions.
  • state of matter is one of the distinct forms in which matter can exist.
    • The four fundamental states of matters are - solids, liquids, gases, and plasma.

EXPLANATION:

  • Solid-state is one of the four fundamental states of matter, in which the constituent particles (ions, atoms, etc) are closely packed together.
  • The speed of sound is maximum in solids and least in gases. So option 4 is correct.

EXTRA POINTS

Speed of sound in different media at 25 ºC
State Medium Speed of sound (m/s)
Solid
Solids Aluminium 6420
Nickel 6040
Steel 5960
Iron 5950
Brass 4700
Glass (Flint) 3980
liquid
Liquids Water (Sea) 1531
Water (distilled) 1498
Ethanol 1207 1207
Methanol 1103
gas
Gases Hydrogen 1284
Helium 965
Air 346
Oxygen 316
Sulfur dioxide 213

https://ncert.nic.in/ncerts/l/iesc112.pdf

_________ of a sound wave determines loudness of sound.

  1. Amplitude
  2. Frequency
  3. Speed
  4. Wavelength

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : Amplitude

Wave Question 12 Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is Amplitude.

  • Loudness means how loud or soft a sound seems to a listener.

Key Points 

  • Loudness is related to amplitude and intensity is one of the most salient qualities of a sound which is a measure of the amount of energy in sound waves.
  • The unit of intensity is the decibel (dB).

Additional Information

  • Speed- The speed of sound is the distance traveled per unit of time by a sound wave when it propagates through an elastic medium.
  • Wavelength- The wavelength of a sound is the distance between adjacent identical parts of a wave.
  • Frequency- The number of vibrations counted per second is called frequency. The unit of frequency is called hertz (Hz).

A person clapped his hands near a cliff and heard echo after 6 s. The distance of the cliff from the person is:

[take v = 346 ms-1]

  1. 1038 m
  2. 1083 m
  3. 2076 m
  4. 2706 m

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 1 : 1038 m

Wave Question 13 Detailed Solution

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 CONCEPT:

  • Echo: If we shout or clap near a suitable reflecting object such as a tall building or a mountain, we will hear the same sound again a little later. This sound which we hear is called an echo.
    • Echoes are heard due to the phenomenon of Reflection of sound waves.
    • To hear the echo clearly, the reflecting object must be more than 17.2 m from the sound source for the echo to be heard by a person standing at the source.

Calculation:

Given that,

The time taken by the echo to reach back to the source (t)= 6s.

Velocity of the sound (v) = 346 m/s.

Distance between person and cliff (d) = v x ta

As sound travels back and forth to form an echo and hence time is twice.

Now dividing the time take by 2 we get actual time (Ta)= 6/2 ⇒ 3

Therefore, the distance from person to the cliff (d) = 346 x 3 ⇒ 1038 m.

The distance between the person and the cliff is 1038 meters.

The speed of light is maximum in which of the following mediums?

  1. air
  2. glass
  3. vacuum
  4. water

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : vacuum

Wave Question 14 Detailed Solution

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Concept -

  • The speed of light is dependent on the refractive index of the medium it is travelling in. 
  • The higher the refractive index of the medium, the lower is the speed of light.
  • Hence, the speed of light in a medium is inversely proportional to the refractive index of the medium in which it is travelling through. 
  • The denser a medium is the more is its refractive index and thus, the lesser is the speed of light. 
  • The speed of light is thus minimum in solids as they are denser and will be maximum in a vacuum as a vacuum is the least dense medium.
  • Speed of light follows the following order (decreasing)  
    • Vacuum > Air > Liquid > Solids 

​​Explanation -

  • In the given four options in the question - Air, Glass, Vaccum, and water, the densest medium is glass as it is solid so the speed of light will be minimum in it.
  • The speed of light is maximum in a vacuum.
  • The speed of light in decreasing order will be, (according to this question) -  
    • Vacuum > Air > Water > Glass 
  • Vacuum is the least dense medium with no obstruction to the path of light. Its refractive index is equal to unity, hence, the speed of light is maximum in a vacuum.

So, the speed of light is maximum in a vacuum.

Important Points

  • Light in air travels at a little lesser speed than in a vacuum.
  • Vacuum being a medium completely free from any kind of obstruction towards the flow of light causes a higher speed than air, which has a refractive index of slightly greater than one.

Additional Information

  • The speed of sound follows a reverse order when compared with the speed of light in different mediums. 
  • The speed of sound is maximum in solids and minimum in gases.
  • The speed of sound, in decreasing order here, will be, 
    • Solids > Liquids > Gases
    • Sound can not travel in a vacuum
  • Whereas the speed of light is maximum in a vacuum and the minimum in solids. 

Light can travel in vacuum and sound waves cannot because ________.

  1. speed of sound is very slow than light
  2. light waves are electromagnetic in nature
  3. sound waves are electromagnetic in nature
  4. None of these

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : light waves are electromagnetic in nature

Wave Question 15 Detailed Solution

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  • Light can travel in a vacuum because the light is electromagnetic in nature which requires no medium as electric fields and magnetic fields constantly generate each other as the wave propagates.
  • Sound waves require a medium to travel. The speed of sound is faster in solid materials, slower in liquids and slowest in gases.
  • The speed of light in a vacuum is commonly given the symbol c. It is a universal constant that has the value c = 3 x 108 m/second.
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