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Gravitational Waves MCQs — Physics (page 3)

60 multiple-choice questions on Gravitational Waves from Physics, each with the correct answer and, where available, a teacher's explanation. Read through them to revise the chapter, then practise the same questions one by one to test yourself.

51. As a gravitational wave passes through a body, the body is:

  1. pushed in one direction only
  2. heated strongly
  3. electrically charged
  4. stretched and compressed periodically

Answer: D) stretched and compressed periodically

Explanation: Distortion of space-time. SLO P-11-D-19 · Knowledge

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52. Gravitational waves are emitted by events in:

  1. distant galaxies across the universe
  2. the Sun's surface only
  3. laboratories
  4. the Earth's crust only

Answer: A) distant galaxies across the universe

Explanation: Cosmic sources. SLO P-11-D-20 · Knowledge

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53. Energy released as gravitational waves in a black hole merger can be:

  1. zero
  2. the energy of a light bulb
  3. several solar masses' worth of energy
  4. a few joules

Answer: C) several solar masses' worth of energy

Explanation: Enormous energy, yet tiny effect at Earth. SLO P-11-D-20 · Knowledge

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54. The arms of the LIGO detectors are about:

  1. 4 m long
  2. 4 km long
  3. 40 m long
  4. 400 km long

Answer: B) 4 km long

Explanation: Long arms increase sensitivity. SLO P-11-D-21 · Understanding

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55. The pattern of stretching from a gravitational wave is called a 'plus' or 'cross':

  1. frequency
  2. speed
  3. polarization
  4. wavelength

Answer: C) polarization

Explanation: Gravitational waves have two polarizations. SLO P-11-D-19 · Knowledge

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56. The body stretched by a gravitational wave returns to its shape when:

  1. never
  2. it is charged
  3. it is heated
  4. the wave has passed

Answer: D) the wave has passed

Explanation: The distortion is temporary. SLO P-11-D-19 · Knowledge

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57. A passing gravitational wave stretches space in one direction while:

  1. not affecting the other direction
  2. stretching it in all directions
  3. compressing it in all directions
  4. compressing it in the perpendicular direction

Answer: D) compressing it in the perpendicular direction

Explanation: Quadrupole pattern. SLO P-11-D-19 · Knowledge

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58. A laser is used in a gravitational-wave interferometer because its light is:

  1. invisible only
  2. coherent and monochromatic
  3. longitudinal
  4. very hot

Answer: B) coherent and monochromatic

Explanation: Needed for stable interference. SLO P-11-D-21 · Understanding

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59. The fractional change in length ('strain') caused by gravitational waves at Earth is about:

  1. 10^-21
  2. 10^-2
  3. 1
  4. 10^-6

Answer: A) 10^-21

Explanation: Incredibly tiny. SLO P-11-D-19 · Knowledge

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60. Gravitational waves detected on Earth come from:

  1. distant celestial events such as black hole and neutron star mergers
  2. earthquakes
  3. the Moon's tides
  4. volcanoes

Answer: A) distant celestial events such as black hole and neutron star mergers

Explanation: Far-off cosmic events. SLO P-11-D-20 · Knowledge

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