1 A microphone detects a musical note of frequency f.

The microphone is connected to a

cathoderay oscilloscope (c.r.o.). The signal from the microphone is observed on the c.r.o. as
illustrated in Fig. 2.1.

1.0 cm

1.0 cm

Fig. 2.1

The time-base setting of the c.r.o. is 0.50 ms cm–1. The Y-plate setting is 2.5 mV cm–1.

(a) Use Fig. 2.1 to determine (i) the amplitude of the signal,

amplitude = ................................................... mV [2]

(ii) the frequency f,

f = .................................................... Hz [3]

(iii) the actual uncertainty in f caused by reading the scale on the c.r.o.

actual uncertainty = .................................................... Hz [2]

(b) State f with its actual uncertainty.

f = ................................ ± ................................ Hz [1]

2 (a) (i) Explain what is meant by a progressive and transverse wave.

progressive: .......................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

transverse: .........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) Define frequency.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(b) The variation with distance x of displacement y for a transverse wave is shown in Fig. 7.1.
2.0
R
y / cm
1.0
Q S
0
0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 x
/ cm
–1.0
P T
–2.0
Fig. 7.1

On Fig. 7.1, five points are labelled.

Use Fig. 7.1 to state any two points having a phase difference of

(i) zero,

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) 270°.

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

2
 (c) The frequency of the wave in (b) is 15 Hz.
Calculate the speed of the wave in (b).

speed = ................................................ m s–1 [3]

(d) Two waves of the same frequency have amplitudes 1.4 cm and 2.1 cm.
Calculate the ratio
intensity of wave of amplitude 1.4 cm
.
intensity of wave of amplitude 2.1 cm

ratio = .......................................................... [2]

3 (a) Explain what is meant by the following quantities for a wave on the surface of water:

(i) displacement and amplitude,

displacement .....................................................................................................................

amplitude ...........................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) frequency and time period.

frequency ..........................................................................................................................

time period ........................................................................................................................

[2]

3
(b) Fig. 5.1 represents waves on the surface of water in a ripple tank at one particular instant of
time.

direction of travel of waves

vibrator

25 cm

15 mm

12 mm water

side view
ripple tank

Fig. 5.1 (not to scale)

A vibrator moves the surface of the water to produce the waves of frequency f. The speed of
the waves is 7.5 cm s−1. Where the waves travel on the water surface, the maximum depth of
the water is 15 mm and the minimum depth is 12 mm.

(i)Calculate, for the waves, 1.

the amplitude,

amplitude = .................................................. mm [1]

2. the wavelength.

wavelength = ..................................................... m [2]

4
 (ii) Calculate the time period of the oscillations of the vibrator.

time period = ...................................................... s [2]

(c) State and explain whether the waves on the surface of the water shown in Fig. 5.1

(ii) transverse or longitudinal.

...........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

5 A source of radio waves sends a pulse towards a reflector. The pulse returns from the reflector and
is detected at the same point as the source. The emitted and reflected pulses are recorded on a
cathode-ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.) as shown in Fig. 2.1.

1 cm

1 cm

Fig. 2.1

The time-base setting is 0.20 μs cm–1.

(a) Using Fig. 2.1, determine the distance between the source and the reflector.

5
 distance = ............................................. m [4]

(b) Determine the time-base setting required to produce the same separation of pulses on
the c.r.o. when sound waves are used instead of radio waves. The speed of sound is
300 m s–1.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................[3]

6 A long rope is held under tension between two points A and B. Point A is made to vibrate vertically
and a wave is sent down the rope towards B as shown in Fig. 5.1.

direction of travel of wave

Fig. 5.1 (not to scale)

The time for one oscillation of point A on the rope is 0.20 s. The point A moves a distance of 80
mm during one oscillation. The wave on the rope has a wavelength of 1.5 m.

(a) (i) Explain the term displacement for the wave on the rope.

..................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Calculate, for the wave on the rope,

1. the amplitude,

amplitude = .......................................... mm [1]

2. the speed.

6
 speed = ........................................ m s–1 [3]

(b) On Fig. 5.1, draw the wave pattern on the rope at a time 0.050 s later than that shown.
[2]

(c) longitudinal or transverse.

..................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................[1]

7 (a) (i) Define, for a wave,

1. wavelength λ,

..................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................[1]

2. frequency f.

..................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Use your definitions to deduce the relationship between λ, f and the speed v of the
wave.

[1]

7
(b) Plane waves on the surface of water are represented by Fig. 5.1 at one particular instant
of time.
direction of travel of waves

A B 8.0 mm

18 cm

Fig. 5.1 (not to scale)

The waves have frequency 2.5 Hz.
Determine, for the waves,

(i) the amplitude,

amplitude = ......................................... mm [1]

(ii) the speed,

speed = ....................................... m s–1 [2]

(iii) the phase difference between points A and B.

phase difference = ................................ unit ......... [1]

(c) The wave in (b) was produced in a ripple tank. Describe briefly, with the aid of a sketch
diagram, how the wave may be observed.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................[2]

8
8 (a) State one property of electromagnetic waves that is not common to other transverse waves.

.................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) The seven regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are represented by blocks labelled A to G in
Fig. 5.1.

visible region

A B C D E F G

wavelength decreasing

Fig. 5.1
A typical wavelength for the visible region D is 500 nm.

(i) Name the principal radiations and give a typical wavelength for each of the regions B,
E and F.

B: name: ............................................ wavelength: ............................................. m

E: name: ............................................ wavelength: ............................................. m

F: name: ............................................ wavelength: ............................................. m

[3]

(ii) Calculate the frequency corresponding to a wavelength of 500 nm.

frequency = .......................................... Hz [2]

(c) All the waves in the spectrum shown in Fig. 5.1 can be polarised. Explain the meaning of the
term polarised.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [2]

9
9 (a) By reference to vibrations of the points on a wave and to its direction of energy transfer,
distinguish between transverse waves and longitudinal waves.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................[2]

(b) Describe what is meant by a polarised wave.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................[2]

(c) The variation with distance x of the displacement y of a transverse wave is shown in Fig.
5.1.

Fig. 5.1
(i) Use Fig. 5.1 to determine

1. the amplitude of the wave,

amplitude = .......................................... cm [1]

10
 2. the phase difference between the points labelled A and B.

phase difference = ..................................................[2]

(ii) Determine the amplitude of a wave with twice the intensity of that shown in Fig. 5.1.

amplitude = .......................................... cm [1]

10 (a) A transverse progressive wave travels along a stretched string from left to right. The
shape of part of the string at a particular instant is shown in Fig. 6.1.

Fig. 6.1

The frequency of the wave is 15 Hz.

For this wave, use Fig. 6.1 to

determine (i) the amplitude,

amplitude = .......................................... mm [1]

11
 (ii) the phase difference between the points P and Q on the string,

phase difference = ................................................. [1]

(iii) the speed of the wave.

speed = ........................................ m s–1 [2]

11 A student is studying a water wave in which all the wavefronts are parallel to one another. The
variation with time t of the displacement x of a particular particle in the wave is shown in Fig. 5.1.

The distance d of the oscillating particles from the source of the waves is measured. At a
particular time, the variation of the displacement x with this distance d is shown in Fig. 5.2.

12
 (a) Define, for a wave, what is meant by
(i) displacement,
..................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) wavelength.

..................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................[1]
(b) Use Figs. 5.1 and 5.2 to determine, for the water wave,

(i) the period T of vibration,

T = ...............................................s [1]
(ii) the wavelength k,

k = ............................................cm [1]
(iii) the speed v.

v = .......................................cm s–1 [2]

(c) (i) Use Figs. 5.1 and 5.2 to state and explain whether the wave is losing power as it moves away
from the source.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................[2]

13
 (ii) Determine the ratio

intensity of wave at source

–––––––––––––––––––-----------------
intensity of wave 6.0 cm from source

ratio = ................................................. [3]

12 (a) State what is meant by a progressive wave.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) The variation with distance x along a progressive wave of a quantity y, at a particular time, is
shown in Fig. 5.1.

0
0 x

Fig. 5.1

(i) State what the quantity y could represent.

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................ [1]

14
(ii) Distinguish between the quantity y for 1. a transverse wave,

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................. [1]

2. a longitudinal wave.

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................ [1]

15