Cambridge International AS and A level Physics

5 a 3.0 ×10 −3 mm Chapter 15:

b 11.3°; 23.2°; 36.2°; 51.9; 79.5°
Stationary waves
6 a 1.66 × 10 m and 604 lines per millimetre
−6

b 14° Exercise 15.1 How superposition leads to

c 11° stationary waves
1 a, b b
7 a 14.9°
b 2.33 × 10 −6 m B C
a
c 90.2 cm

A D
Exam-style questions
1 a At some positions on the screen light from the two sources
has a path difference of 0, λ, 2λ, 3λ or nλ where n is an integer.
The light arrives in phase and the two waves add together c 1.0 m
constructively to form a bright dot. At places nearby, the wave d B up, C up, D down
from one slit has further to travel than from the other slit; the
path difference is ½λ, 1½λ, 2½λ or (n + ½)λ where n is an 2 a−e P
integer. The two waves arrive out of phase and destructively
interfere, cancelling each other out and forming a dark spot
resultant
between each bright red spot.
b The further from the centre of the pattern the greater is the Q
angle that light has to be diffracted as it leaves each slit.
Diffraction is not uniform at different angles unless each
resultant
slit is very narrow compared to the wavelength. Therefore,
22 less light is diffracted at a higher angle, and when the waves P and Q
constructively interfere the resultant maximum is less than
when they combine at the centre of the pattern.

2 a Pass light from the laser through the grating and onto a
screen (this may be shown on a diagram). Both the distance x
between the central and the adjacent spot on the screen P
and the distance D from the grating to the screen are
measured; a ruler or metre rule may be used. This allows
resultant
the angle θ of the first-order maximum to be calculated as
tan θ = x/D. The spacing d of the grating is measured using a Q
travelling or measuring microscope and then the wavelength
λ = d sin θ.
b The diffraction grating is better because the spots are further
apart (allowing more accurate measurement) and also
because the pattern is brighter and sharper, being more easily
visible in the laboratory. P and Q
resultant
3 a x = 0.05 cm N A N A N A N A N A N
b 7.0 × 10 −4 m
3 a
c 0.057° Distance Displacement Displacement Displacement
d any two differences from: diffraction pattern is sharper; along of stationary of progressive of other
brighter; more spots are seen x-axis / cm wave / cm wave shown progressive
e The angles of the first and other order maxima are too close / cm wave / cm
together to measure accurately, being separated by less 0 +2.0 +1.0 +1.0
than a degree. 0.50 0 +1.0 −1.0
1.00 −2.0 −1.0 −1.0
1.50 0 −1.0 +1.0
2.00 +2.0 +1.0 +1.0
 Answers

b antinodes at 0, 1.0 cm, 2.0 cm, 3.0 cm, 4.0 cm, 5.0 cm and 6.0 cm e All points between one node and the next have no phase
c nodes at 0.5 cm, 1.5 cm, 2.5 cm, 3.5 cm, 4.5 cm and 5.5 cm difference.
λ f In a stationary wave the phase changes through 180º at
d 0.5 cm =
4 each node but in a progressive wave the phase changes
continuously along the wave.
Exercise 15.2 Using stationary wave patterns g amplitude at P&T the same > amplitude at S > amplitude
1 a λA = 2.4 m at Q > amplitude at R
h The amplitude of points on a stationary wave decreases
λB = 1.2 m
from a maximum at an antinode to zero at a node and then
λC = 0.8 m increases again as one moves towards the next antinode.
On a progressive wave the amplitude of all points is the
b fA = 480 Hz same – they just have different phases.
fC = 720 Hz i Stationary wave no net transmission of energy but in a
progressive wave there is a net transmission of energy.
c NA = 1 In a stationary wave, there are two progressive waves
NB = 2 carrying energy in both directions and so there is no net
flow of energy.
NC = 3
2 a Two waves travelling in opposite directions with the same
d The wire goes from the solid line to a flat horizontal line frequency produce a stationary wave. The waves reflect off
joining P and Q to the dotted line, back to a horizontal line the closed ends of the guitar string and interfere (superpose)
and finally back to the solid line. to form the stationary wave. The distance between the two
ends must be a multiple of half the wavelength for reflections
2 a 120 cm
at both ends to superpose in the same way and form the
b 12 000 cm s −1 stationary wave.
3 a 0.48 m b P moves up and down at the frequency of the progressive
wave.
0.24 m
c P Q and R all have the same amplitude as they are at
23
0.16 m antinodes. P and R are in phase and are out of phase with Q.
d Either of these two diagrams:
b 208 Hz
417 Hz N N
625 Hz
4 a Movement elsewhere, at an antinode for example, will cause N N
the particles to collect where there is no movement, at a N
node.
3 a A molecule moves backwards and forwards (longitudinally)
b λ = 10 cm; f = 3200 Hz
along the tube with a maximum amplitude.
c ANANAN or ANAN or AN
b Sound reflects off the closed end and the two waves travelling
in opposite directions with the same frequency interfere
Exercise 15.3 Using the correct terms to (superpose on one another). A node of displacement is
explain stationary waves formed at the closed end and an antinode at the open end.
c 10 cm
1 a a point on a stationary wave where the amplitude is a
maximum d
b a point on a stationary wave where the amplitude is zero
c four
d
Points Phase difference
between the points e λ = 6.7 cm
P and Q 0
P and R 180º Exercise 15.4 Planning experiments on
P and S 180º stationary waves
P and T 360º or 0 1 a Adjust the frequency of the generator slowly until a stable
Q and R 180º pattern is seen on the string. Look along the string: at some
positions the string is stationary (these are nodes) and at
Q and S 180º
some positions the movement up and down is at a maximum
R and S 0
 Cambridge International AS and A level Physics
(these are antinodes). Place a pin on a cork and move it along
the side of the string to mark positions where there is no up
and down movement.
b Measure the distance from one node to the next. The
wavelength is twice this distance. For accuracy measure the
distance between as many nodes as possible, say n and then
there are (n − 1) node to node distances in this measurement.
2d
The wavelength = .
(n − 1)
c Obtain a steady trace on the screen with as large a wave as
possible, by adjusting the Y-gain and time base controls.
Measure the number of divisions (or distance) d along the Exam-style questions
horizontal axis on the screen of one complete wave. Note the
time base setting T (the number of seconds per division). 1 a
period = dT
1 of equal amplitude and frequency travelling in opposite
frequency =
dT
d Change the tension in the string by changing the number
of weights hanging on the string. The tension in the string
is found by measuring the mass hanging on the string and
multiplying by g (acceleration due to gravity). Adjust the
frequency of the vibrator until a stationary wave pattern
appears on the string. Measure the distance d between
adjacent nodes and note the frequency f of the signal
provided by the signal generator (a data logger can be
attached to the signal generator if necessary). The speed of
the wave is found using v = 2df. Repeat this measurement for
different tensions and plot a graph of speed against tension.
24
2 a Place the transmitter facing the metal sheet. Move the
detector probe along the line from the transmitter to the
sheet. There will be a regular rise and fall in the signal on
the meter. A high signal at an antinode and no, or low,
signal at a node.
b The microwave is reflected by the metal sheet. Along the line
joining the transmitter and the sheet there are two waves 2 a
with opposite velocities and similar amplitudes. These
superpose or interfere to create a stationary wave.
c Measure the distance d between consecutive nodes. The
wavelength of the microwaves is 2d and the frequency f of
c b
the microwaves is .
2d
Note this method can also be used to measure the
wavelength of sound using a loudspeaker as a transmitter and
a microphone as the detector probe.
3 a antinode
b node
3 a
3λ
c of energy along the string. There is energy transfer along
4
d Change the height of the air column by adding water slowly or
removing the glass cylinder slowly. A stationary wave forms
when there is a loud sound from the air column.
e With a very small length of air column slowly increase the
length of the air column. When there is the first and second
loud sound make a mark on the side of the glass column
(or if the level of water changes on the water container).
Measure the two lengths l1 and l2 of the air column from
the top of the column to the two marks.
λ
At the smallest length l1 =
4
3λ
At the next length l2 =
4
So, λ = 2(l2 − l1)
f The graph is a curve, as wavelength increases frequency
decreases. The curve does not cross either of the axes.
g A graph of f against 1 is a straight line with gradient v.
λ
The progressive wave from the oscillator reflects at the pulley
(closed end) and travels back down the string. Two waves
directions superimpose or interfere to form a stationary wave.
b At the fixed end, at the pulley, and where the dashed and full
lines in the diagram cross.
c three
d i out of phase (phase difference of 180º)
ii the same amplitude
e i 80 cm
ii 1200 cm s −1.
f i Waves reflect off both ends of the string but the length
λ
of the string is not a multiple of so the nodes and
2
antinodes of reflection from each end do not match and
the superimposition of the waves cannot form a stable
stationary wave.
ii The speed v increases, but since λ is set by the length
of the string, λ is constant. Since v = f λ, the frequency f
must increase.
Two waves travel along the same line in opposite directions
having the same frequency same frequency / wavelength.
When they meet, resultant displacement is the sum of
displacements of each wave and produces nodes and
antinodes.
i 0.48 m
ii 0.24 m
c With the same length of string having six loops halves the
distance between nodes, and therefore the wavelength, is
halved. As the frequency doubles there is no change in speed
because v = f λ.
With a stationary wave on a string, there is no net transfer
the string in a progressive wave. In a progressive wave, the
amplitude of all points is the same (or if energy is lost, then the
amplitude decreases along the wave). In a stationary wave,
the amplitude varies along the length of the string, being a
maximum at a point, then zero, then a maximum again etc.
b A displacement node is a point on a stationary wave where
the amplitude of the displacement is zero. A displacement
antinode is a point on a stationary wave where the amplitude
of the displacement is a maximum.
 Answers

c i A loud sound would be heard at certain frequencies. Exercise 16.2 Particles in the atom and some
Superposition occurs between the wave from the
loudspeaker and the reflected wave from both ends of
decay equations
the tube. Places of constructive interference (antinodes) 1 a
are formed where the waves add together always in Nuclide Number of Number of Number of
phase. When there is an antinode at the open end, the notation protons neutrons electrons in a
sound is loud. neutral atom
ii An antinode at the open end and a node at the closed 238
92 U 92 146 92
end of the tube with, possibly more nodes and more 4
2 He 2 2 2
antinodes equally spaced, i.e. ANAN along the tube.
63 29 34 29
iii Lowest frequency corresponds to the length of the 29 Cu
tube (30 cm), being from one node to the next: 58
28 Ni 28 30 28
λ
antinode, 0.30 = 14
7 N 7 7 7
4
15 8 7 8
O
The frequency f = 320 = 267 Hz .
8

1.20 b The neutral atom has two orbital electrons, the singly charged
ion has one and the α-particle has no orbital electrons.
c B and C as they have the same number of protons.
Chapter 16:
2 Any three from: charge, mass–energy, momentum, proton
Radioactivity number and neutron number. However, proton numbers have to
be assigned to particles such as the beta-particle.
Exercise 16.1 Discovering the structure of 3 a 30
15 16 Si + −1e +ν
P → 30 0

the atom b Some mass has been ‘changed’ into the kinetic energy of
the particles. Mass and energy are two parts of the same
1 a α -particle 1; the further the particle from the nucleus the
conserved quantity, mass–energy.
smaller the repulsive force 31
c 15 P or any other reasonably close value to the nucleon
b
number 31, but not 30. 25

4 a p = 237
q = 93
α-particle 1 r=4
s=2
α-particle 2
α-particle 3 b p = 14
q=7

c p = 23
c The nucleus repels the α -particle in a direction directly away q = 11
from the centre of the nucleus; both the α -particle and the 222
5 a 86 Rn
nucleus are positively charged.
b 238
92 U → 234
90 Th + 2He, or
4

2 a There will be more particles with small deviations than large 234
U → 230
90 Th + 2He, or
4
92
deviations.
b There will be comparatively more particles with large deviations.
230
90 Th → 226
88 Ra + 2He, or
4

226
c Nuclei must be far apart so there is a lot of empty space in the 88 Ra → 222
86 Rn + 2He
4

atom.
c
234
90 Th → 234 0
91Pa + −1e + ν , or

234
3 91 Pa → 234
92U + −1e +ν
0
most α -particles pass straight most of an atom is empty
through the gold foil space d Two β− -particles and four α-particles
some α -particles are deflected the nucleus is positively charged e 234
U and 238
92 92U
a few α -particles are deflected the mass of an atom is 230
90 Th and 234
90 Th
by more than 90º concentrated in a small space
f It stays on the same nucleon number line (stays horizontal)
4 a no deviation or just a few degrees but moves one place to the left, (decreases the proton
number by one).
b most of an atom is empty space
c most of the mass and positive charge in the atom is 6 six β− -particles
concentrated in a small volume