Properties of Waves – Worksheet # 2

Definitions

► Transverse waves occur where the displacement is at right angles to the wave direction.

► Longitudinal waves occur where the displacement is along the line of the wave direction.

► Frequency of the wave motion is the number of wave crests per second passing a given point.

► Amplitude is the maximum displacement from equilibrium.

► Phase difference between two particles along the wave is the fraction of a cycle by which one is
behind the other.

► Wavelength is the distance from one particle to the next particle in phase with it.

Equations

► v = f = /T (where v = wave speed, f = frequency,  = wavelength, T = period)

sin 𝑖 𝑣1 1
► Snell’s law of refraction = = = n
sin 𝑟 𝑣2 2

where i = incident angle, r = angle of refraction, n = refractive index (for a ray of light passing
from incident to refracted medium), v1 = wave speed in incident medium, 1 = wavelength in
incident medium, v2 = wave speed in refracted medium, 2 = wavelength in refracted medium.

Laws and rules

► Principle of superposition When two or more waves meet, the total displacement is equal to
the sum of the individual displacements.

► Conditions for stationary waves to be formed Two sets of progressive waves of the same
frequency, speed and amplitude must pass through one another in opposite directions.
1. (a) What is meant by the ‘phase of a wave’? [1 mark]

(b) Distinguish between a stationary wave and a progressive wave, making reference to the
amplitude and phase of the particles of the medium through which they move.
[2 marks]

(c) State THREE conditions necessary for two-source destructive interface of sound waves
to be observed. [3 marks]

(d) Imagine that you are standing in a room in which stationary sound waves exist.
Describe what you would hear over a period of time, if you were standing at a position
where an antinode occurs. Assume that your ears can follow any variation of sound
intensity which may occur. [1 mark]

Total 20 marks

2. (a) The figure below shows a section of a stationary transverse wave.

(i) Explain how such a wave may be formed from two progressive waves,
CLEARLY indicating any conditions that MUST be fulfilled.

(ii) Compare the amplitudes of particle vibrations at A, B and C and the phases at B
and C.

(iii) Give the THREE subjective sensations of sound and state what objective
quantities are associated with them.
[8 marks]

(b) A loudspeaker at a concert generates 1 x 1CL With at a distance of 20 m from the

speaker at a frequency of 1 kHz.

(i) Calculate the wavelength of the waves emitted by the loudspeaker.

(ii) What is the intensity level at 20 m?

 (iii) Given that the intensity (in W m2) of the sound is inversely proportional to the
distance, x, from the speaker (I  x2), find the distance at which the intensity
level will be at the pain threshold of 120 dB.
[12 marks]

[Threshold intensity of hearing = 1 × 1012, W m2Velocity of sound = 340 m s1]

Total 20 marks

3. (a) A diffraction grating is illuminated by a parallel beam of light with a mixture of three
wavelengths in the yellow, blue and red parts of the visible spectrum as shown in the
figure below.

(i) Discuss with the aid of suitable diagrams the role of diffraction and interference
of waves in the production of this spectrum.

(ii) Explain why Beam A in Figure 4 must be the blue light and also identify the
colours of the Beams B and C.

(iii) Why does the central beam (labelled 0) contain a mixture of all three colours?

[8 marks]

(b) The spectrum of sodium contains two yellow lines close together with wavelengths of
589 run and 590 nm as shown in the figure below.

Sodium D lines

To view these lines separately an experimenter used a diffraction grating with 6 x 105
lines per metre and the roughest order spectrum possible.
 (i) Calculate the value of the HIGHEST order spectrum which can be used to view
the sodium lines.

(ii) What is the angular separation of the two sodium lines in this spectrum?
[7 marks]

Total 15 marks

2. (a) (i) What is meant by the term 'diffraction'? [1 mark]

(ii) Plane waves incident on small apertures are represented in the figure below.
Show on the diagram, the resulting waves after passage through the slits.

[2 marks]

(iii) Mark on the figure, TWO places where constructive interference occurs and
TWO places where destructive interference occurs. [Use a circle 0 for
constructive interference and an X for destructive interference.] [2 marks]

(iv) In the space below draw wave diagrams to show how TWO waves could
superpose to produce constructive and destructive interference. [2 marks]

(b) Two vertical dipole antennas, A and B, emit coherent signals from a radio station
broadcasting at a frequency of 900 kHz as shown in the figure 2. The antennas are
spaced 600 m apart.
 (i) A maximum intensity of the signal is received at P some distance away on the
line perpendicular to AB as shown and the next maximum is detected at R on a
line at an angle e. Calculate the value of e. [5 marks]

(ii) Explain why at Q, a point midway between P and R, the signal received is very
weak. [1 mark]

(iii) At what angle to the mid-line would the next minimum of the inte1ference pattern
occur?

[2 marks)
Total 15 marks