WavesNEET MCQs with solutions
Waves covers transverse and longitudinal waves, wave equation, superposition, standing waves, beats, Doppler effect and wave speed in strings and pipes. NEET tests standing wave patterns (nodes, antinodes), organ pipe harmonics, beat frequency and Doppler effect formula application.
- Class
- 11 Physics
- Free on this page
- 24 questions
- In the RankUp app
- 537 questions
- ELITE questions
- 184
- NCERT topics
- 13
Practise 24 questions
Tap an option to check it. Questions from every NCERT topic in this chapter, from easy to hard.
Q1Mathematical Description of Progressive Waves
A transverse wave travels along the +x direction. Which of the following equations correctly represents this wave?
Not quite — the answer is C.
In y=A sin(omegat-kx), the phase (omegat-kx) is constant for an observer moving in +x direction, confirming +x propagation. Options A, B, D have +kx term which indicates -x direction.
Q2Grand Test
A transverse wave is represented by y = 0.02 sin(4πt − 2πx). The wave speed is:
Not quite — the answer is B.
v = ω/k = 4π/2π = 2 m/s. Common error: students divide k by ω instead of ω by k, giving 0.5 m/s. Amplitude 0.02 m is irrelevant to wave speed.
Q3Mixed Revision
The relation between path difference (Δx) and phase difference (Δφ) for a wave of wavelength λ is:
Not quite — the answer is A.
Phase difference = (2π/λ) × path difference. One full wavelength of path difference corresponds to a phase difference of 2π. Option C omits the factor of 2; option B inverts the fraction.
Q4Speed of Wave Motion
A transverse wave travels on a stretched string. If the tension is increased four times while the linear mass density remains unchanged, the wave speed becomes:
Not quite — the answer is B.
v=√(T/μ); when T→4T, v→√4·v=2v. Option A (4v) is wrong — students who apply v∝T instead of v∝√T get this trap. Speed scales with √T, not T.
Q5Standing (Stationary) Waves
A stationary wave is formed by the superposition of:
Not quite — the answer is B.
A stationary wave requires two identical waves (same frequency, amplitude, speed) travelling in opposite directions. Option D (same direction) produces a travelling wave, not a stationary pattern. Option C (different frequencies) produces beats, not standing waves.
Q6Doppler Effect
The observed frequency increases when:
Not quite — the answer is A.
Decreasing separation means wavefronts reach the observer more frequently, increasing observed frequency. Options B, C, D all increase separation — each produces a decrease in observed frequency.
Q7Wave Motion and Basic Terminology
Which of the following best defines a mechanical wave?
Not quite — the answer is A.
Mechanical waves require a material medium and transfer energy while particles only oscillate about mean positions. Option B confuses energy transfer with matter transport. Option C describes electromagnetic waves.
Q8Types of Waves
A wave that requires a material medium for its propagation is called:
Not quite — the answer is A.
Mechanical waves require a material medium; electromagnetic waves travel through vacuum. Option C and D both refer to de Broglie matter waves, which are quantum waves unrelated to classical propagation.
Q9Organ Pipes
An open organ pipe of length L vibrates in its fundamental mode. The wavelength of the fundamental note is:
Not quite — the answer is A.
An open pipe has antinodes at both ends, so L = λ/2, giving λ = 2L. Option C (4L) is the trap — it applies to a closed pipe fundamental, not open.
Q10Normal Modes in Strings
A stretched string fixed at both ends vibrates in its fundamental mode. The wavelength is:
Not quite — the answer is B.
In fundamental mode, L = λ/2, so λ = 2L. Option A confuses wavelength with length. Options C and D arise from wrong boundary condition assumptions.
Q11Beats
Two tuning forks of frequencies 256 Hz and 260 Hz are sounded together. The beat frequency heard is:
Not quite — the answer is D.
Beat frequency = |f₁ - f₂| = |260 - 256| = 4 Hz. Frequencies are not added or averaged — only their absolute difference gives the beat frequency. Option A (16 Hz) is the trap — students multiply instead of subtract.
Q12Principle of Superposition of Waves
According to the principle of superposition, when two or more waves overlap in a medium, the resultant displacement at any point is:
Not quite — the answer is A.
Resultant displacement = algebraic sum of individual displacements in a linear medium. Option D is the most tempting wrong answer — students confuse dominance of larger wave with superposition principle, which requires contribution from all waves.
513 more questions on this chapter are waiting in the app
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Get RankUp on Google PlayQ13Reflection of Waves
A transverse pulse travelling on a stretched string reaches a fixed end. The reflected pulse will be:
Not quite — the answer is B.
At a fixed end, the boundary condition requires zero displacement at all times, forcing phase reversal of 180°. The reflected pulse is inverted but retains its amplitude in an ideal string. Option A (upright) describes free-end reflection — the most common confusion.
Q14Wave Motion and Basic Terminology
In a transverse wave travelling along a stretched string, the particles of the medium vibrate in a direction:
Not quite — the answer is B.
Transverse waves have particle displacement perpendicular to wave propagation. Option A describes longitudinal waves, the most common student confusion on this question type.
Q15Wave Motion and Basic Terminology
A wave has frequency 50 Hz and wavelength 4 m. Its speed is:
Not quite — the answer is C.
Using v=fλ=50×4=200 m/s. Option A arises from halving the wavelength (students confuse λ with λ/2). Option D arises from adding f and λ instead of multiplying.
Q16Wave Motion and Basic Terminology
Which of the following is NOT a wave motion?
Not quite — the answer is D.
A pendulum executes periodic motion with no propagating disturbance — it is not a wave. All other options involve energy propagation through a medium or space.
Q17Wave Motion and Basic Terminology
Consider the following statements about a wave travelling from medium 1 to medium 2. Statement I: Frequency remains unchanged. Statement II: Speed remains unchanged. Statement III: Wavelength remains unchanged. Statement IV: Time period remains unchanged. How many of the above statements are correct?
Not quite — the answer is B.
Frequency and time period are source-determined and remain constant across media (Statements I and IV correct). Speed and wavelength both change at the interface. Option A is tempting but misses Statement IV.
Q18Wave Motion and Basic Terminology
Which of the following correctly pairs a wave quantity with its SI unit?
Not quite — the answer is A.
Wave number k=2π/λ has SI unit rad m⁻¹. Option B swaps units of wave number and angular frequency, the most common student error on unit-identification questions.
Q19Wave Motion and Basic Terminology
All of the following statements are correct EXCEPT:
Not quite — the answer is C.
Particles do not move with the wave; only energy propagates. Option C is the misconception that wave motion involves bulk transport of the medium.
Q20Wave Motion and Basic Terminology
A disturbance completes 600 oscillations in 3 minutes. The frequency is:
Not quite — the answer is D.
Frequency = 600/180 = 3.33 Hz. Option B arises from dividing 600 by 3 (using minutes instead of seconds), the most frequent unit-conversion error on this question.
Q21Wave Motion and Basic Terminology
Which statement is correct regarding wavelength?
Not quite — the answer is A.
Wavelength is the minimum distance between two same-phase particles. Option B confuses path length of a particle with wavelength. Option D inverts the correct relation λ=v/f.
Q22Wave Motion and Basic Terminology
A wave travelling with speed 300 m/s has a time period of 0.02 s. Calculate its wavelength.
Not quite — the answer is A.
Using λ=vT=300×0.02=6 m. Option C arises from dividing T by v instead of multiplying. Option D arises from dividing v by T.
Q23Wave Motion and Basic Terminology
Which statement correctly distinguishes a longitudinal wave from a transverse wave?
Not quite — the answer is B.
Particle oscillation is parallel to propagation in longitudinal waves, producing compressions and rarefactions. Option A is the exact reversal error — the most common wrong answer on this question in NEET.
Q24Wave Motion and Basic Terminology
In a longitudinal wave, the distance between a compression and the nearest rarefaction is equal to:
Not quite — the answer is C.
A compression and the nearest rarefaction are half a wavelength apart. Successive compressions are one full wavelength apart. Option A is the classic off-by-factor-of-2 error.
ELITE question · AIR under 50 level
This chapter has 184 ELITE questions for students aiming at the very top. They are only in the app.
Unlock ELITE questions in the appKey Wave Concepts
Quick revision: most questions in this chapter test these facts.
| Concept | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Wave equation | y = A sin(kx − ωt); v = ω/k = νλ; k = 2π/λ |
| Speed in string | v = √(T/μ); T = tension, μ = mass per unit length |
| Standing waves | Formed by superposition of two identical waves in opposite directions |
| Open pipe | All harmonics: f_n = nv/2L; fundamental = v/2L |
| Closed pipe | Odd harmonics only: f_n = nv/4L (n = 1, 3, 5...); fundamental = v/4L |
| Doppler effect | f' = f(v ± v₀)/(v ∓ vₛ); approach → higher frequency; recede → lower |
What the app covers in this chapter
537 questions in total, each with a detailed explanation.
| Mathematical Description of Progressive Waves | 56 |
| Grand Test | 56 |
| Mixed Revision | 55 |
| Speed of Wave Motion | 40 |
| Standing (Stationary) Waves | 40 |
| Doppler Effect | 40 |
| Wave Motion and Basic Terminology | 39 |
| Types of Waves | 39 |
| Organ Pipes | 39 |
| Normal Modes in Strings | 38 |
| Beats | 37 |
| Principle of Superposition of Waves | 29 |
| Reflection of Waves | 29 |
Questions students ask
Is Waves important for NEET?
Yes — standing waves in pipes, beats, Doppler effect and wave equation are tested regularly. Organ pipe harmonics and beat frequency calculations are NEET favourites.
Which topics should I revise first?
Master open vs closed pipe harmonics, standing wave node/antinode patterns, beat frequency (f₁ − f₂), Doppler effect sign conventions, and wave speed in strings.
How many questions from this chapter are on RankUp?
The RankUp app has 537 questions on Waves, including 184 ELITE questions. Every question has a detailed explanation.
