AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based Practice Quiz: Periodic Waves

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 10 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 10

Which of the following best describes the defining physical property of a periodic wave?

A)It travels at a constant speed.B)It consists of regular repetitions.C)It can only travel through a medium.D)Its wavelength is always greater than its period.

All Questions (10)

Which of the following best describes the defining physical property of a periodic wave?

A) It travels at a constant speed.

B) It consists of regular repetitions.

C) It can only travel through a medium.

D) Its wavelength is always greater than its period.

Correct Answer: B

The provided content explicitly states that 'Periodic waves have regular repetitions that can be described using period and frequency.' This is their fundamental characteristic.

How is the wavelength of a periodic wave defined?

A) The time it takes for one complete repetition of the wave.

B) The number of repetitions that occur per unit of time.

C) The distance between a wave's peak and its trough.

D) The distance between successive corresponding positions on a wave.

Correct Answer: D

The content defines wavelength as 'the distance between successive corresponding positions (such as peaks or troughs) on a wave.'

Based on the relationship T = 1/f, if the frequency of a periodic wave increases, what happens to its period?

A) The period increases.

B) The period decreases.

C) The period remains the same.

D) The period becomes zero.

Correct Answer: B

The equation T = 1/f shows an inverse relationship between period (T) and frequency (f). As the denominator (f) gets larger, the value of the fraction (T) gets smaller.

A periodic wave has a frequency of 20 Hz. What is its period?

A) 20 s

B) 0.5 s

C) 0.05 s

D) 2.0 s

Correct Answer: C

Using the equation T = 1/f, the period is calculated as T = 1 / 20 Hz, which equals 0.05 seconds.

For a periodic wave traveling at a constant speed, what is the relationship between its wavelength and frequency?

A) They are directly proportional.

B) They are inversely proportional.

C) They are independent of each other.

D) They are equal to the wave's speed.

Correct Answer: B

The content states that 'wavelength is ... inversely proportional to the wave’s frequency.' This is derived from the equation v = λf; if v is constant, as λ increases, f must decrease, and vice versa.

A periodic wave has a wavelength of 3.0 meters and a frequency of 50 Hz. What is the speed of the wave?

A) 150 m/s

B) 53 m/s

C) 16.7 m/s

D) 0.06 m/s

Correct Answer: A

Using the equation v = λf, the speed is calculated by multiplying the wavelength and frequency: v = (3.0 m) * (50 Hz) = 150 m/s.

A periodic wave travels at a speed of 300 m/s and has a wavelength of 5.0 meters. What is the frequency of the wave?

A) 1500 Hz

B) 60 Hz

C) 0.017 Hz

D) 305 Hz

Correct Answer: B

The equation v = λf can be rearranged to solve for frequency: f = v / λ. Plugging in the values gives f = (300 m/s) / (5.0 m) = 60 Hz.

A periodic wave has a period of 0.25 seconds and a wavelength of 8.0 meters. What is the speed of this wave?

A) 2.0 m/s

B) 16 m/s

C) 32 m/s

D) 0.031 m/s

Correct Answer: C

This is a two-step problem. First, find the frequency from the period: f = 1/T = 1 / 0.25 s = 4 Hz. Second, use the wave speed equation: v = λf = (8.0 m) * (4 Hz) = 32 m/s.

The frequency of a periodic wave is doubled while its speed remains constant. What is the effect on its wavelength?

A) The wavelength is doubled.

B) The wavelength is quadrupled.

C) The wavelength is halved.

D) The wavelength remains the same.

Correct Answer: C

According to the equation v = λf, wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional when speed (v) is constant. If the frequency (f) is doubled, the wavelength (λ) must be multiplied by 1/2 (halved) to keep the product λf constant.

A periodic wave has a speed v, frequency f, and wavelength λ. A second periodic wave travels at a speed of 3v and has a wavelength of λ/2. What is the frequency of the second wave in terms of f?

A) 6f

B) f/6

C) 1.5f

D) 3f/2

Correct Answer: A

For the first wave, f = v/λ. For the second wave, the new frequency f' is given by f' = (new speed) / (new wavelength). Substituting the new values: f' = (3v) / (λ/2). This simplifies to f' = 6 * (v/λ). Since f = v/λ, the new frequency is f' = 6f.