Waves revision [116 marks]

1. A first-harmonic standing wave is formed on a vertical string of length 3.0 m using a [1 mark]
vibration generator. The boundary conditions for this string are that it is fixed at one
boundary and free at the other boundary.

The generator vibrates at a frequency of 300 Hz.

What is the speed of the wave on the string?
A. 0.90 km s –1
B. 1.2 km s –1
C. 1.8 km s –1
D. 3.6 km s –1

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

Two travelling waves are moving through a medium. The diagram shows, for a point in
2. Two travelling waves are moving through a medium. The diagram shows, for a point in [1 mark]
the medium, the variation with time t of the displacement d of each of the waves.

For the instant when t = 2.0 ms, what is the phase difference between the waves and what is
the resultant displacement of the waves?

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

3. The diagram shows an interference pattern produced by two sources that oscillate on [1 mark]
the surface of a liquid.

Which of the distances shown in the diagram corresponds to one fringe width of the interference
pattern?

Markscheme
C
 Examiners report
[N/A]

4. A system that is subject to a restoring force oscillates about an equilibrium position. [1 mark]
For the motion to be simple harmonic, the restoring force must be proportional to
A. the amplitude of the oscillation.
B. the displacement from the equilibrium position.
C. the potential energy of the system.
D. the period of the oscillation.

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

5. A particle is displaced from rest and released at time t = 0. It performs simple harmonic [1 mark]
motion (SHM). Which graph shows the variation with time of the kinetic energy Ek of the
particle?

Markscheme
D
 Examiners report
[N/A]

6. Two sound waves from a point source on the ground travel through the ground to a [1 mark]
detector. The speed of one wave is 7.5 km s–1, the speed of the other wave is 5.0 km s –
1. The waves arrive at the detector 15 s apart. What is the distance from the point source to the

detector?
A. 38 km
B. 45 km
C. 113 km
D. 225 km

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

7. What is true about the acceleration of a particle that is oscillating with simple harmonic [1 mark]
motion (SHM)?
A. It is in the opposite direction to its velocity
B. It is decreasing when the potential energy is increasing
C. It is proportional to the frequency of the oscillation
D. It is at a minimum when the velocity is at a maximum

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

What are the changes in the speed and in the wavelength of monochromatic light when
8. What are the changes in the speed and in the wavelength of monochromatic light when [1 mark]
the light passes from water to air?

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

9. A sound wave has a wavelength of 0.20 m. What is the phase difference between two [1 mark]
points along the wave which are 0.85 m apart?
A. zero
B. 45°
C. 90°
D. 180°

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

10. A pair of slits in a double slit experiment are illuminated with monochromatic light [1 mark]
of wavelength 480 nm. The slits are separated by 1.0 mm. What is the separation of
the fringes when observed at a distance of 2.0 m from the slits?
A. 2.4 × 10 –4 mm
B. 9.6 × 10 –4 mm
C. 2.4 × 10 –1 mm
D. 9.6 × 10 –1 mm
 Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

11. A ray of light passes from the air into a long glass plate of refractive index n at an angle[1 mark]
θ to the edge of the plate.

The ray is incident on the internal surface of the glass plate and the refracted ray travels along
the external surface of the plate.
What change to n and what change to θ will cause the ray to travel entirely within the plate after
incidence?

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

A string stretched between two fixed points sounds its second harmonic at frequency f.
12. A string stretched between two fixed points sounds its second harmonic at frequency f. [1 mark]

Which expression, where n is an integer, gives the frequencies of harmonics that have a node
at the centre of the string?
A.
n+1
2
f
B. nf
C. 2 nf
D. (2n + 1)f

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

A beam of coherent monochromatic light from a distant galaxy is used in an optics experiment
on Earth.

The beam is incident normally on a double slit. The distance between the slits is 0.300 mm. A
screen is at a distance D from the slits. The diffraction angle θ is labelled.

13a. A series of dark and bright fringes appears on the screen. Explain how a dark fringe is [3 marks]
formed.
 Markscheme
superposition of light from each slit / interference of light from both slits
with path/phase difference of any half-odd multiple of wavelength/any odd multiple of π (in
words or symbols)
producing destructive interference

Ignore any reference to crests and troughs.

[3 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

13b. The wavelength of the beam as observed on Earth is 633.0 nm. The separation [2 marks]
between a dark and a bright fringe on the screen is 4.50 mm. Calculate D.

Markscheme
sd
evidence of solving for D «D = λ
»
4.50×10−3×0.300×10−3
« × 2» = 4.27 «m»
633.0×10−9

Award [1] max for 2.13 m.

[2 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

The air between the slits and the screen is replaced with water. The refractive index of water is
 The air between the slits and the screen is replaced with water. The refractive index of water is
1.33.

13c. Calculate the wavelength of the light in water. [1 mark]

Markscheme
633.0
1.33
= 476 «nm»

[1 mark]

Examiners report
[N/A]

13d. State two ways in which the intensity pattern on the screen changes. [2 marks]

Markscheme
distance between peaks decreases
intensity decreases
[2 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

A loudspeaker emits sound towards the open end of a pipe. The other end is closed. A standing
 A loudspeaker emits sound towards the open end of a pipe. The other end is closed. A standing
wave is formed in the pipe. The diagram represents the displacement of molecules of air in the
pipe at an instant of time.

14a. Outline how the standing wave is formed. [1 mark]

Markscheme
the incident wave «from the speaker» and the reflected wave «from the closed end»
superpose/combine/interfere

Allow superimpose/add up
Do not allow meet/interact
[1 mark]

Examiners report
[N/A]

X and Y represent the equilibrium positions of two air molecules in the pipe. The arrow
represents the velocity of the molecule at Y.

14b. Draw an arrow on the diagram to represent the direction of motion of the molecule at X. [1 mark]

Markscheme
Horizontal arrow from X to the right

MP2 is dependent on MP1

Ignore length of arrow
[1 mark]
 Examiners report
[N/A]

14c. Label a position N that is a node of the standing wave. [1 mark]

Markscheme
P at a node

[1 mark]

Examiners report
[N/A]

14d. The speed of sound is 340 m s –1 and the length of the pipe is 0.30 m. Calculate, in Hz,[2 marks]
the frequency of the sound.

Markscheme
wavelength is λ = « 4×0.30
3
=» 0.40 «m»
340
f = « 0.40 » 850 «Hz»

Award [2] for a bald correct answer

Allow ECF from MP1
[2 marks]
 Examiners report
[N/A]

The loudspeaker in (a) now emits sound towards an air–water boundary. A, B and C are parallel
wavefronts emitted by the loudspeaker. The parts of wavefronts A and B in water are not shown.
Wavefront C has not yet entered the water.

14e. The speed of sound in air is 340 m s –1 and in water it is 1500 m s –1. [2 marks]
The wavefronts make an angle θ with the surface of the water. Determine the maximum angle,
θmax, at which the sound can enter water. Give your answer to the correct number of significant
figures.
 Markscheme
sin θ c 1
340
= 1500
θc = 13«°»

Award [2] for a bald correct answer

Award [2] for a bald answer of 13.1

Answer must be to 2/3 significant figures to award MP2

Allow 0.23 radians
[2 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

14f. Draw lines on the diagram to complete wavefronts A and B in water for θ < θmax. [2 marks]

Markscheme
correct orientation
greater separation

Do not penalize the lengths of A and B in the water

Do not penalize a wavefront for C if it is consistent with A and B
MP1 must be awarded for MP2 to be awarded

[2 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

A series of dark and bright fringes appears on the screen. Explain how a dark fringe is
15a. A series of dark and bright fringes appears on the screen. Explain how a dark fringe is [3 marks]
formed.

Markscheme
superposition of light from each slit / interference of light from both slits
with path/phase difference of any half-odd multiple of wavelength/any odd multiple of π (in
words or symbols)
producing destructive interference

Ignore any reference to crests and troughs.

[3 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

A beam of coherent monochromatic light from a distant galaxy is used in an optics experiment
 A beam of coherent monochromatic light from a distant galaxy is used in an optics experiment
on Earth.

The beam is incident normally on a double slit. The distance between the slits is 0.300 mm. A
screen is at a distance D from the slits. The diffraction angle θ is labelled.

15b. Outline why the beam has to be coherent in order for the fringes to be visible. [1 mark]

Markscheme
light waves (from slits) must have constant phase difference / no phase difference / be in
phase

OWTTE
[1 mark]

Examiners report
[N/A]

The graph of variation of intensity with diffraction angle for this experiment is shown.
 The graph of variation of intensity with diffraction angle for this experiment is shown.

15c. Calculate the angular separation between the central peak and the missing peak in the[3 marks]
double-slit interference intensity pattern. State your answer to an appropriate number
of significant figures.

Markscheme
4×633.0×10−9
sin θ =
0.300×10−3

sin θ = 0.0084401…
final answer to three sig figs ( eg 0.00844 or 8.44 × 10 –3)

Allow ECF from (a)(iii).

Award [1] for 0.121 rad (can award MP3 in addition for proper sig fig)
Accept calculation in degrees leading to 0.481 degrees.
Award MP3 for any answer expressed to 3sf.
[3 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

Deduce, in mm, the width of one slit.

15d. Deduce, in mm, the width of one slit. [2 marks]

Markscheme
use of diffraction formula «b =
λ
θ
»

OR
633.0×10−9
0.00844

«=» 7.5«00» × 10–2 «mm»

Allow ECF from (b)(i).

[2 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

15e. The wavelength of the light in the beam when emitted by the galaxy was 621.4 nm. [2 marks]
Explain, without further calculation, what can be deduced about the relative motion of the galaxy
and the Earth.
 Markscheme
wavelength increases (so frequency decreases) / light is redshifted
galaxy is moving away from Earth

Allow ECF for MP2 (ie wavelength decreases so moving towards).

[2 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

A small ball of mass m is moving in a horizontal circle on the inside surface of a frictionless
hemispherical bowl.

The normal reaction force N makes an angle θ to the horizontal.

16a. State the direction of the resultant force on the ball. [1 mark]

Markscheme
towards the centre «of the circle» / horizontally to the right

Do not accept towards the centre of the bowl

[1 mark]

Examiners report
[N/A]

On the diagram, construct an arrow of the correct length to represent the weight of the
16b. On the diagram, construct an arrow of the correct length to represent the weight of the [2 marks]
ball.

Markscheme
downward vertical arrow of any length
arrow of correct length

Judge the length of the vertical arrow by eye. The construction lines are not required. A
label is not required

eg:

[2 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

Show that the magnitude of the net force F on the ball is given by the
16c. Show that the magnitude of the net force F on the ball is given by the [3 marks]
following equation.

mg
F=
tan θ

Markscheme
ALTERNATIVE 1
F = N cos θ
mg = N sin θ
dividing/substituting to get result

ALTERNATIVE 2
right angle triangle drawn with F, N and W/mg labelled
angle correctly labelled and arrows on forces in correct directions
correct use of trigonometry leading to the required relationship

O mg
tan θ = A
= F

[3 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

The radius of the bowl is 8.0 m and θ = 22°. Determine the speed of the ball.
16d. The radius of the bowl is 8.0 m and θ = 22°. Determine the speed of the ball. [4 marks]

Markscheme
mg 2

tan θ
= m vr

r = R cos θ

v=√ /√ tan θ /√ 9.81×tan

gRcos2θ gR cos θ 8.0 cos 22
sin θ 22

v = 13.4/13 «ms –1»

Award [4] for a bald correct answer

Award [3] for an answer of 13.9/14 «ms –1». MP2 omitted
[4 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

Outline whether this ball can move on a horizontal circular path of radius equal to
16e. Outline whether this ball can move on a horizontal circular path of radius equal to [2 marks]
the radius of the bowl.

Markscheme
there is no force to balance the weight/N is horizontal
so no / it is not possible

Must see correct justification to award MP2

[2 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

The ball is now displaced through a small distance x from the bottom of the bowl and is then
 The ball is now displaced through a small distance x from the bottom of the bowl and is then
released from rest.

The magnitude of the force on the ball towards the equilibrium position is given by
mgx
R
where R is the radius of the bowl.

16f. Outline why the ball will perform simple harmonic oscillations about the equilibrium [1 mark]
position.

Markscheme
the «restoring» force/acceleration is proportional to displacement

Direction is not required

[1 mark]

Examiners report
[N/A]

16g. Show that the period of oscillation of the ball is about 6 s. [2 marks]
 Markscheme
ω=«
√ R » = √ 9.81
g
8.0
«= 1.107 s –1»

T=«
2π
ω =
2π
1.107
=» 5.7 «s»

Allow use of or g = 9.8 or 10

Award [0] for a substitution into T = 2π √ Ig

[2 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

16h. The amplitude of oscillation is 0.12 m. On the axes, draw a graph to show the variation[3 marks]
with time t of the velocity v of the ball during one period.
 Markscheme
sine graph
correct amplitude «0.13 m s –1»
correct period and only 1 period shown

Accept ± sine for shape of the graph. Accept 5.7 s or 6.0 s for the correct period.
1
Amplitude should be correct to ± 2
square for MP2

eg: v /m s –1

[3 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

17a. Outline how the standing wave is formed. [1 mark]

Markscheme
the incident wave «from the speaker» and the reflected wave «from the closed end»
superpose/combine/interfere

Allow superimpose/add up
Do not allow meet/interact
[1 mark]

Examiners report
[N/A]

17b. Draw an arrow on the diagram to represent the direction of motion of the molecule at X. [1 mark]
 Markscheme
Horizontal arrow from X to the right

MP2 is dependent on MP1

Ignore length of arrow
[1 mark]

Examiners report
[N/A]

17c. Label a position N that is a node of the standing wave. [1 mark]

Markscheme
P at a node

[1 mark]

Examiners report
[N/A]

17d. The speed of sound is 340 m s –1 and the length of the pipe is 0.30 m. Calculate, in Hz,[2 marks]
the frequency of the sound.
 Markscheme
wavelength is λ = « 4×0.30
3
=» 0.40 «m»
340
f = « 0.40 » 850 «Hz»

Award [2] for a bald correct answer

Allow ECF from MP1
[2 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

17e. The speed of sound in air is 340 m s –1 and in water it is 1500 m s –1. [2 marks]
The wavefronts make an angle θ with the surface of the water. Determine the maximum angle,
θmax, at which the sound can enter water. Give your answer to the correct number of significant
figures.

Markscheme
sin θ c 1
340
= 1500
θc = 13«°»

Award [2] for a bald correct answer

Award [2] for a bald answer of 13.1

Answer must be to 2/3 significant figures to award MP2

Allow 0.23 radians
[2 marks]
 Examiners report
[N/A]

17f. Draw lines on the diagram to complete wavefronts A and B in water for θ < θmax. [2 marks]

Markscheme
correct orientation
greater separation

Do not penalize the lengths of A and B in the water

Do not penalize a wavefront for C if it is consistent with A and B
MP1 must be awarded for MP2 to be awarded

[2 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

18. The graph shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of an object [1 mark]
undergoing simple harmonic motion (SHM). At which velocity does the displacement
from the mean position take a maximum positive value?

Markscheme
D
 Examiners report
[N/A]

19. What is the phase difference, in rad, between the centre of a compression and the [1 mark]
centre of a rarefaction for a longitudinal travelling wave?
A. 0
π
B. 2

C. π
D. 2π

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

20. Two wave pulses, each of amplitude A, approach each other. They then superpose [1 mark]
before continuing in their original directions. What is the total amplitude during
superposition and the amplitudes of the individual pulses after superposition?

Markscheme
D
 Examiners report
[N/A]

4
21. The refractive index for light travelling from medium X to medium Y is
3
. The refractive [1 mark]
3
index for light travelling from medium Y to medium Z is 5
. What is the refractive index for light
travelling from medium X to medium Z?
4
A. 5
15
B. 12
5
C. 4
29
D. 15

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

22. A pipe of fixed length is closed at one end. What is third harmonic frequency of pipe [1 mark]
first harmonic frequency of pipe
?
1
A. 5
1
B. 3
C. 3
D. 5

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

The graph shows the variation with position s of the displacement x of a wave
23. The graph shows the variation with position s of the displacement x of a wave [1 mark]
undergoing simple harmonic motion (SHM).

What is the magnitude of the velocity at the displacements X, Y and Z?

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

24. The diagram shows a second harmonic standing wave on a string fixed at both ends. [1 mark]

What is the phase difference, in rad, between the particle at X and the particle at Y?
A. 0
π
B. 4
π
C. 2
3π
D. 4

Markscheme
A
 Examiners report
[N/A]

A large cube is formed from ice. A light ray is incident from a vacuum at an angle of 46˚ to the
normal on one surface of the cube. The light ray is parallel to the plane of one of the sides of the
cube. The angle of refraction inside the cube is 33˚.

25a. Calculate the speed of light inside the ice cube. [2 marks]

Markscheme
3×108×sin(33)
«v = c sin i
sin r
=»
sin(46)

2.3 x 10 8 «m s–1»

Examiners report
[N/A]

Show that no light emerges from side AB.

25b. Show that no light emerges from side AB. [3 marks]

Markscheme
light strikes AB at an angle of 57°
critical angle is «sin –1( 2.3
3
) =» 50.1°
49.2° from unrounded value
angle of incidence is greater than critical angle so total internal reflection
OR
light strikes AB at an angle of 57°
calculation showing sin of “refracted angle” = 1.1
statement that since 1.1>1 the angle does not exist and the light does not emerge
[Max 3 marks]

Examiners report
[N/A]

25c. Sketch, on the diagram, the subsequent path of the light ray. [2 marks]

Markscheme
total internal reflection shown
ray emerges at opposite face to incidence
Judge angle of incidence=angle of reflection by eye or accept correctly labelled angles
With sensible refraction in correct direction

Examiners report
[N/A]
 Each side of the ice cube is 0.75 m in length. The initial temperature of the ice cube is –20 °C.

25d. Determine the energy required to melt all of the ice from –20 °C to water at [4 marks]
a temperature of 0 °C.
Specific latent heat of fusion of ice = 330 kJ kg –1
Specific heat capacity of ice = 2.1 kJ kg –1 k–1
Density of ice = 920 kg m –3

Markscheme
mass = «volume x density» (0.75)3 x 920 «= 388 kg»
energy required to raise temperature = 388 x 2100 x 20 «= 1.63 x 10 7 J»
energy required to melt = 388 x 330 x 10 3 «= 1.28 x 108 J»
1.4 x 108 «J» OR 1.4 x 105 «kJ»
Accept any consistent units
Award [3 max] for answer which uses density as 1000 kg –3 (1.5× 10 8 «J»)

Examiners report
[N/A]

Outline the difference between the molecular structure of a solid and a liquid.
25e. Outline the difference between the molecular structure of a solid and a liquid. [1 mark]

Markscheme
in solid state, nearest neighbour molecules cannot exchange places/have fixed
positions/are closer to each other/have regular pattern/have stronger forces of attraction
in liquid, bonds between molecules can be broken and re-form
OWTTE
Accept converse argument for liquids
[Max 1 Mark]

Examiners report
[N/A]

A particle undergoes simple harmonic motion (SHM). The graph shows the variation of
26. A particle undergoes simple harmonic motion (SHM). The graph shows the variation of [1 mark]
velocity v of the particle with time t.

What is the variation with time of the acceleration a of the particle?

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

27. What statement about X-rays and ultraviolet radiation is correct? [1 mark]
A. X-rays travel faster in a vacuum than ultraviolet waves.
B. X-rays have a higher frequency than ultraviolet waves.
C. X-rays cannot be diffracted unlike ultraviolet waves.
D. Microwaves lie between X-rays and ultraviolet in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Markscheme
B
 Examiners report
[N/A]

28. Two pulses are travelling towards each other. [1 mark]

What is a possible pulse shape when the pulses overlap?

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

Unpolarized light of intensity I is incident on the first of two polarizing sheets. Initially
29. Unpolarized light of intensity I0 is incident on the first of two polarizing sheets. Initially [1 mark]
the planes of polarization of the sheets are perpendicular.
I0
Which sheet must be rotated and by what angle so that light of intensity 4
can emerge from
the second sheet?

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

30. When a sound wave travels from a region of hot air to a region of cold air, it refracts as [1 mark]
shown.

What changes occur in the frequency and wavelength of the sound as it passes from the hot air
to the cold air?
 Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

31. In simple harmonic oscillations which two quantities always have opposite directions? [1 mark]
A. Kinetic energy and potential energy
B. Velocity and acceleration
C. Velocity and displacement
D. Acceleration and displacement

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

32. A girl in a stationary boat observes that 10 wave crests pass the boat every minute. [1 mark]
What is the period of the water waves?
1
A. 10
min
1
B. 10
min–1

C. 10 min
D. 10 min –1

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

The graph shows the variation with distance x of the displacement of the particles of a
33. The graph shows the variation with distance x of the displacement of the particles of a [1 mark]
medium in which a longitudinal wave is travelling from left to right. Displacements to the
right of equilibrium positions are positive.

Which point is at the centre of a compression?

A. x = 0
B. x = 1 m
C. x = 2 m
D. x = 3 m

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

34. A beam of unpolarized light is incident on the first of two parallel polarizers. The [1 mark]
transmission axes of the two polarizers are initially parallel.

The first polarizer is now rotated about the direction of the incident beam by an angle
smaller than 90°. Which gives the changes, if any, in the intensity and polarization of the
transmitted light?
 Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

35. The frequency of the first harmonic standing wave in a pipe that is open at both ends is [1 mark]
200 Hz. What is the frequency of the first harmonic in a pipe of the same length that is
open at one end and closed at the other?
A. 50 Hz
B. 75 Hz
C. 100 Hz
D. 400 Hz

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

36. A travelling wave of period 5.0 ms travels along a stretched string at a speed of 40 m s –[1 mark]
1. Two points on the string are 0.050 m apart.

What is the phase difference between the two points?

A. 0
π
B. 2
C. π
D. 2 π

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]
37. Properties of waves are [1 mark]
I. polarization
II. diffraction
III. refraction
Which of these properties apply to sound waves?
A. I and II
B. I and III
C. II and III
D. I, II and III

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

38. Water is draining from a vertical tube that was initially full. A vibrating tuning fork is held [1 mark]
near the top of the tube. For two positions of the water surface only, the sound is at its
maximum loudness.

The distance between the two positions of maximum loudness is x.

What is the wavelength of the sound emitted by the tuning fork?
x
A. 2

B. x
3x
C. 2

D. 2x

Markscheme
D
 Examiners report
[N/A]

39a. Outline what is meant by the principle of superposition of waves. [2 marks]

Markscheme
when 2 waves meet the resultant displacement
is the «vector» sum of their individual displacements

Displacement should be mentioned at least once in MP 1 or 2.

Examiners report
[N/A]

Red laser light is incident on a double slit with a slit separation of 0.35 mm.
39b. Red laser light is incident on a double slit with a slit separation of 0.35 mm. [3 marks]
A double-slit interference pattern is observed on a screen 2.4 m from the slits.
The distance between successive maxima on the screen is 4.7 mm.

Calculate the wavelength of the light. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant
figures.

Markscheme
4.7×10−3×0.35×10−3
λ= 2.4

= 6.9 x 10 –7 «m»
answer to 2 SF

Allow missed powers of 10 for MP1.

Examiners report
[N/A]

Explain the change to the appearance of the interference pattern when the red-light
39c. Explain the change to the appearance of the interference pattern when the red-light [2 marks]
laser is replaced by one that emits green light.

Markscheme
green wavelength smaller than red
fringe separation / distance between maxima decreases

Allow ECF from MP1.

Examiners report
[N/A]

39d. One of the slits is now covered. [2 marks]

Describe the appearance of the pattern on the screen.
 Markscheme
bright central maximum
subsidiary maxima «on either side»

the width of the central fringe is twice / larger than the width of the subsidiary/secondary
fringes/maxima
OR
intensity of pattern is decreased

Allow marks from a suitably labelled intensity graph for single slit diffraction.

Examiners report
[N/A]

A student investigates how light can be used to measure the speed of a toy train.
 A student investigates how light can be used to measure the speed of a toy train.

Light from a laser is incident on a double slit. The light from the slits is detected by a light
sensor attached to the train.
The graph shows the variation with time of the output voltage from the light sensor as the train
moves parallel to the slits. The output voltage is proportional to the intensity of light incident on
the sensor.

40a. Explain, with reference to the light passing through the slits, why a series of voltage [3 marks]
peaks occurs.
 Markscheme
«light» superposes/interferes
pattern consists of «intensity» maxima and minima
OR
consisting of constructive and destructive «interference»
voltage peaks correspond to interference maxima

Examiners report
[N/A]

40b. The slits are separated by 1.5 mm and the laser light has a wavelength of 6.3 x 10 –7 m.[1 mark]
The slits are 5.0 m from the train track. Calculate the separation between two adjacent
positions of the train when the output voltage is at a maximum.

Markscheme
6.3×10−7×5.0
«s = λD
= =» 2.1 x 10 –3 «m»
d 1.5×10−3

If no unit assume m.
Correct answer only.

Examiners report
[N/A]

Estimate the speed of the train.

40c. Estimate the speed of the train. [2 marks]

Markscheme
correct read-off from graph of 25 m s
2.1×10−3
v = « xt = =» 8.4 x 10 –2 «m s –1»
25×10−3

Allow ECF from (b)(i)

Examiners report
[N/A]

40d. In another experiment the student replaces the light sensor with a sound sensor. The [2 marks]
train travels away from a loudspeaker that is emitting sound waves of
constant amplitude and frequency towards a reflecting barrier.

The sound sensor gives a graph of the variation of output voltage with time along the track that
is similar in shape to the graph shown in the resource. Explain how this effect arises.
 Markscheme
ALTERNATIVE 1
«reflection at barrier» leads to two waves travelling in opposite directions
mention of formation of standing wave
maximum corresponds to antinode/maximum displacement «of air molecules»
OR
complete cancellation at node position

Examiners report
[N/A]

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