CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

Exam-style questions and sample answers have been written by the authors. In examinations, the way marks are awarded
may be different.

Coursebook answers
Chapter 14
Science in context guidance b  istance between antinodes = 14 mm =
d
λ/2, so wavelength λ = 28 mm.
• You can find a video of the Tacoma Narrows 8
Bridge breaking by searching for it on the frequency f = λv = 3.00.×028
10

internet. = 1.07 × 1010 Hz ≈ 11 GHz

• Only a few months after it was finished,
the wind passing through the Tacoma
Narrows Bridge set it into vibration at its
fundamental frequency. The video footage
is quite astonishing; the bridge bends and
vibrates dramatically before eventually ripping
itself apart.
Self-assessment questions
1 wavelength of stationary wave = 2 ×
a 
distance between nodes = 50 cm
b  istance from node to adjacent antinode
d
= 0.5 × distance between nodes = 12.5 cm
2 a 
One complete wavelength is shown in the
image, so wavelength = 60 cm
separation of two antinodes = λ/2 = 30 cm
b
c length of string = 60 cm, so to produce
three antinodes, 3λ/2 = 60 cm, meaning λ
= 40 cm
3 a nodes
transmitter reflector
4 I n both cases, waves are reflected (by the
metal sheet or by the water). The outgoing
and reflected waves combine to produce a
stationary wave pattern.
5 a 
It is much easier to detect where sound
falls to zero than where sound is a
maximum.
b I ncreased accuracy: if the wavelength is
short, it is difficult to measure just one
wavelength
6 a 
Three antinodes between them means the
distance between the two measured nodes
= 3λ/2 = 20 cm, so wavelength λ = 13.3 cm
≈ 13 cm
b speed v = fλ = 2500 × 0.13 = 325 m s−1 ≈
330 m s−1
Exam-style questions
1 A[1]
 ongitudinal waves, e.g. sound, can also
L
produce stationary waves. So, this statement
is incorrect.
 ll the other statements are correct about
A
stationary waves.
2 C[1]
λ = 39.0 cm; v = fλ = 120 × 0.390 = 46.8 m s−1

antinodes

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics – Sang, Jones, Chadha & Woodside
1 © Cambridge University Press 2020
 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

3 a 
Node and antinode marked[1] b 34 λ = 63.8 cm[1]
b Wavelength marked[1]
v = fλ = 400 × 34 × 0.638[1]
λ
speed of sound = 340 m s−1[1]
7 i 
a  The waves have a constant phase
A N A A difference[1]

c  here would be double the number of

T over a period of time.[1]
loops (6).[1] ii The amount by which one wave
4 a 
Resonance is when the frequency of one leads or lags another[1]
source of vibration coincides with the expressed using phase angle.[1]
natural frequency of vibration of a body,
b i 
Maxima occur when the reflected
causing the body to vibrate with a large
waves are exactly in phase with the
amplitude.[1]
incident wave.[1]
b λ4 = 0.312 m[1] Minima occur when the reflected
v = fλ = 256 × 4 × 0.312 = 319 ≈ 320 m s−1[1] waves are 180° out of phase with
5 a 
Similarities: the incident wave.[1]
Points in the waves vibrate[1] ii Each time the wave amplitude falls to
The wave speed = fλ[1] zero, the plate has moved through 12 λ
Differences:  [1]
42.0
A progressive wave transfers energy; λ = [1]
a standing waves does not 2.5
= 16.8 cm[1]
transfer energy.[1] 3 × 108
Points in a progressive wave have different c = fλ leading to f = [1]
16.8 × 10 −2
amplitudes of vibration with respect to = 1.78 × 109 ≈ 1.8 × 109 Hz[1]
time; points of a standing wave have the
same amplitude with respect to time.[1] c Phase shift of 180°[1]
i
b  On reflection[1]
vibrator 75 cm pulley
8 7 × λ = 90 cm so λ = 51.4 cm[1]
a 
N N N N N 4

A A A A A A
c = fλ = 512 × 51.4 × 10−2[1]
= 263 m s−1[1]

slotted masses b Q no movement[1]

Any one node and any one antinode P, R, S and T vibrate from side to side
shown.[2] parallel to the tube[1]
75 P and S have largest amplitude[1]
ii wavelength = cm[1]
3 c Any two correct points[1]
120 × 0.75
c = fλ = [1]
3 9 v = fλ and λ = 2L =
c = 30 m s−1[1] constant (L = length of wire)[1]
c  peed of the waves down the string
S f ∝ v ∝ √T
changes (with tension)[1]
f = 210 × 1.4 = 248.5 Hz[1]
so wavelength changes[1]
absolute uncertainty =
6 i 
a  Vibrating[1] 1
2
× 0.08 × 248.5 = 9.94 Hz[1]
back and forth parallel to the tube[1]
f = 250 ± 10 Hz[1]
ii Stationary[1]
(The value must be given to 2 sig. figs and
absolute uncertainty given to 1 sig. fig)

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics – Sang, Jones, Chadha & Woodside
2 © Cambridge University Press 2020