North Carolina RADAR State Practice Exam

What does a higher frequency indicate regarding wave motion?

1. The waves are slower

2. The waves have a longer wavelength

3. The waves are transmitted more frequently

4. The waves carry less energy

The correct answer is: The waves are transmitted more frequently

A higher frequency in wave motion signifies that the waves are transmitted more frequently within a given time period. Frequency is defined as the number of cycles or waves that pass a specific point per second. Therefore, if the frequency increases, it means that more cycles are occurring within that same timeframe. This intrinsic characteristic of waves affects various physical phenomena, such as sound and light, and has implications in fields like telecommunications and physics. While considering the context of wave behavior, it's important to note that a higher frequency generally corresponds to a shorter wavelength, which is a characteristic of most types of waves, including electromagnetic and sound waves. Additionally, higher frequency waves typically carry more energy, which is an important aspect in applications ranging from radio transmission to medical imaging. Poorly associating higher frequency with slower transmission, longer wavelengths, or lower energy would demonstrate a misunderstanding of wave properties.