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

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?

The diagram shows an interference pattern produced by two sources that oscillate on
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?

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.

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?

Two sound waves from a point source on the ground travel through the ground to 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

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

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?

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°

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

A ray of light passes from the air into a long glass plate of refractive index n at an angle
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?

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

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.

13a. A series of dark and bright fringes appears on the screen. Explain how a dark fringe is [3 marks]
formed.

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.

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]

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

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]

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]

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

The speed of sound is 340 m s –1 and the length of the pipe is 0.30 m. Calculate, in Hz,
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.

The loudspeaker in (a) now emits sound towards an air–water boundary. A, B and C are parallel
 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.

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

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.

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]

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.

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

The wavelength of the light in the beam when emitted by the galaxy was 621.4 nm.
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.

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]

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.

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

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]

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

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.

16g. Show that the period of oscillation of the ball is about 6 s. [2 marks]

The amplitude of oscillation is 0.12 m. On the axes, draw a graph to show the variation
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.

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

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

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

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.

The speed of sound in air is 340 m s –1 and in water it is 1500 m s –1.

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.

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

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?

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

Two wave pulses, each of amplitude A, approach each other. They then superpose
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?

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

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

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?

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

A large cube is formed from ice. A light ray is incident from a vacuum at an angle of 46˚ to the
 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]

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

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

Each side of the ice cube is 0.75 m in length. The initial temperature of the ice cube is –20 °C.
 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

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

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?

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.

Two pulses are travelling towards each other.

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

What is a possible pulse shape when the pulses overlap?

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?

When a sound wave travels from a region of hot air to a region of cold air, it refracts as
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?

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

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

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

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?

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

A travelling wave of period 5.0 ms travels along a stretched string at a speed of 40 m s –

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

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

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

Outline what is meant by the principle of superposition of waves.

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

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.

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.

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

Describe the appearance of the pattern on the screen.

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.

The slits are separated by 1.5 mm and the laser light has a wavelength of 6.3 x 10 –7 m.
 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.

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

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.

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