Stationary waves are set up on a rope of length 1.0 m fixed at both ends.

1.
Which statement is not correct?

A The first harmonic has a wavelength of 2.0 m.

The midpoint of the rope is always stationary for

B
even-numbered harmonics.

C A harmonic of wavelength 0.4 m can be set up on the rope.

D There are five nodes on the rope for the fifth harmonic.

(Total 1 mark)

Which one of the following statements about stationary waves is true?

2.
A Particles between adjacent nodes all have the same amplitude.

B Particles between adjacent nodes are out of phase with each other.

C Particles immediately on either side of a node are moving in opposite directions.

D There is minimum disturbance of the medium at an antinode.

(Total 1 mark)

Which one of the following statements about stationary waves is true?

3.
A Particles between adjacent nodes all have the same amplitude.

B Particles between adjacent nodes are out of phase with each other.

C Particles immediately on either side of a node are moving in opposite directions.

D There is a minimum disturbance of the medium at an antinode.

(Total 1 mark)

4.

frequency of vibration = 50 Hz

The diagram above shows a stationary wave on a stretched string at a time t = 0. Which one of
the diagrams, A to D, correctly shows the position of the string at a time t = 0.010 s?

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 A

D
(Total 1 mark)

Stationary waves are set up on a length of rope fixed at both ends. Which one of the following
5. statements is true?

A Between adjacent nodes, particles of the rope vibrate in phase with each other.

B The mid point of the rope is always stationary.

C Nodes need not necessarily be present at each end of the rope.

D Particles of the rope at adjacent antinodes always move in the same direction.
(Total 1 mark)

A uniform wire fixed at both ends is vibrating in its fundamental mode. Which one of the following
6. statements is not correct for all the vibrating particles?

A They vibrate in phase.

B They vibrate with the same amplitude.

C They vibrate with the same frequency.

D They vibrate at right angles to the wire.

(Total 1 mark)

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 A stationary wave is formed by two identical waves of frequency 300 Hz travelling in opposite
7. directions along the same line. If the distance between adjacent nodes is 0.60 m, what is the
speed of each wave?

A 180 m s−1

B 250 m s−1+

C 360 m s−1

D 500 m s−1
(Total 1 mark)

The frequency of the first harmonic of a wire fixed at both ends is 300 Hz.
8. The tension in the wire is now doubled.

What is the frequency of the first harmonic after this change?

A 150 Hz

B 210 Hz

C 420 Hz

D 600 Hz

(Total 1 mark)

Which line, A to D, in the table gives a correct difference between a progressive wave and a
9. stationary wave?

progressive wave stationary wave

all the particles vibrate some of the particles do not

A
vibrate

none of the particles vibrate all the particles vibrate with

B
with the same amplitude the same amplitude

all the particles vibrate in none of the particles vibrate in

C
phase with each other phase with each other

some of the particles do not all the particles vibrate in

D
vibrate phase with each other

(Total 1 mark)

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 The fundamental frequency f is the lowest frequency heard when a stretched string is vibrating.
10.
The string is now lightly touched one third of the way along its length.

What is the lowest frequency heard?

C f

D 3f

(Total 1 mark)

The frequency of the first harmonic of a standing wave on a wire is f. The length of the wire and
11.
tension in the wire are both doubled.

What is the frequency of the first harmonic as a result?

B f

D 2f

(Total 1 mark)

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 The diagram shows two pulses on a string travelling towards each other.
12.

Which of the following diagrams shows the shape of the string when the pulses have passed
through each other?

D
(Total 1 mark)

Which of the following is correct for a stationary wave?

13.
A Between two nodes the amplitude of the wave is constant.

B The two waves producing the stationary wave must always be 180° out of
phase.

C The separation of the nodes for the second harmonic is double the
separation of nodes for the first harmonic.

D Between two nodes all parts of the wave vibrate in phase.

(Total 1 mark)

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 Two radio transmitters emit waves at a frequency of 1.4 MHz. A stationary wave is set up
14. between the two transmitters due to the superposition of the radio waves.

What is the minimum distance between two nodes in the stationary wave?

A 107 m

B 214 m

C 428 m

D 857 m

(Total 1 mark)

A stationary wave is set up on a stretched string of length l and diameter d.

15.
Another stationary wave is also set up on a second string made from the same material and with
the same tension as the first.

What length and diameter are required for the second string so that both strings have the same
first-harmonic frequency?

Length of second string Diameter of second string

A 2l 2d

B l 2d

C 2d

D l

(Total 1 mark)

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 A uniform wire, fixed at both ends, is plucked in the middle so that it vibrates at the first harmonic
16. as shown.

What is the phase difference between the oscillations of the particles at P and Q?

A zero

(Total 1 mark)

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Mark schemes
D
1.
[1]

C
2.
[1]

C
3.
[1]

C
4.
[1]

A
5.
[1]

B
6.
[1]

C
7.
[1]

C
8.
[1]

A
9.
[1]

D
10.
[1]

A
11.
[1]

C
12.
[1]

D
13.
[1]

A
14.
[1]

C
15.
[1]

A
16.
[1]

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