MDCAT Waves and SHM MCQs 2026 | Doppler, Beats, Period

For small angles the motion is SHM. T depends on length and g, not on how far you pull it. The small-angle approximation is essential for a simple pendulum. Large amplitudes make the exact period depend on amplitude, so use the standard SHM formula only under its stated approximation.

$f_{beat}=|f_1-f_2$ |. You hear the difference, not the sum. Beats come from interference between nearby frequencies, producing repeated rises and falls in loudness. Use the absolute difference so the beat frequency is never negative.

No. Both raise frequency, but the expressions differ. Mixing them is a standard trap. An approaching observer meets wavefronts more often, whereas an approaching source shortens the wavelength in front of it. Identify which object moves relative to the medium before choosing signs in the Doppler expression.

No. $T=2\pi \sqrt{l/g}.$ Mass cancels, just as in free fall. The small-angle approximation is essential for a simple pendulum. Large amplitudes make the exact period depend on amplitude, so use the standard SHM formula only under its stated approximation.

The current Waves question bank contains 1,187 practice MCQs across 12 topics. This is the bank size, not the length of one test. Choose your topics and a question count from 1 to 180, limited by the questions available in those topics.

The selectable topics are Wave Motion, Progressive Waves, Wave Properties, Wave Speed, Wave Types, Sound Speed, Interference, Stationary Waves, Vibrating Strings, Organ Pipes, SHM, Superposition. Use Select all for a broad chapter drill, Clear to start a focused selection, or choose individual topics. Questions are drawn from your chosen topics, so you can target a weak concept before returning to a wider test.

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