What property of a wave determines its speed in a given medium?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The speed of a wave in a given medium is determined by the properties of that medium, such as its density and elasticity. While amplitude, wavelength, and frequency are important characteristics of a wave, they do not directly impact its speed in a specific medium. Amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of particles in a wave, wavelength is the distance between two successive points in a wave that are in phase, and frequency is the number of complete oscillations a wave makes in a given time. However, these properties do not dictate the speed of a wave in a particular medium. Therefore, the correct answer is the medium's properties.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In a transverse wave, the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of wave travel. This means that the particles move up and down or side to side as the wave passes through the medium. This motion creates crests and troughs in the wave, leading to the characteristic oscillation observed in transverse waves. Choice B is incorrect because in transverse waves, the particle movement is not parallel to the direction of wave travel. Choice C is incorrect as the particles do not move in a circular motion in a transverse wave. Choice D is incorrect as the particles do not move opposite to the direction of wave travel; they move perpendicular to it.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Destructive interference is the term used to describe the phenomenon when two waves meet and their amplitudes are such that they cancel each other out, resulting in a wave with a smaller amplitude or no wave at all. This cancellation effect occurs due to the waves being out of phase. This is in contrast to constructive interference, where two waves combine to produce a wave with a larger amplitude. Refraction is the bending of waves as they pass through different mediums, such as light passing through glass, while diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings. In this case, the concept described in the question specifically aligns with destructive interference, making it the correct answer.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Musca domestica is the scientific name for the common housefly. This species is known for being a common pest found in and around human habitations. Drosophila melanogaster (option B) is a species of fruit fly commonly used in genetic research. Apis mellifera (option C) is the scientific name for the western honeybee. Anopheles gambiae (option D) is a species of mosquito known for being a vector of malaria.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships between organisms and their environment, including the interactions between living organisms and their physical surroundings. This field focuses on how organisms interact with each other and their environment. Zoology is the study of animals, Botany is the study of plants, and Genetics is the study of genes and heredity, which are not directly related to the relationships between organisms and their environment. Therefore, the correct answer is Ecology as it specifically deals with the interactions between living organisms and their environment.