St Columba’s College Physics Department

AQA GCE PHYSICS

EOTT Waves 2 (chapter 12)

Date: ………………….. Name ………………………………

Mark ………../53 Percentage ……...

Q1.
Two radio transmitters emit waves at a frequency of 1.4 MHz. A stationary wave is set
up 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)

Q2.
Two coherent sources generate sound waves of wavelength 0.40 m. The waves leave
the sources in phase. A detector some distance from the sources receives the sound
waves. The path difference between the detector and the sources is 0.90 m.

What is the phase difference between the waves arriving at the detector?
 
A zero
B 45°
C 90°
D 180°
(Total 1 mark)

Q3.
Which of the following is correct for a stationary wave?
 
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)

Q4.
 When a parallel beam of monochromatic light is directed at two narrow slits, S1 and S2,
interference fringes are observed on a screen.

Which line in the table gives the changes that will increase the spacing of the fringes?
 
  Slit spacing Distance from slits to screen  

A halved halved

B halved doubled

C doubled halved

D doubled doubled

Q5.
In the diagram, P is the source of a wave of frequency 50 Hz

The wave travels to R by two routes, P → Q → R and P → R. The speed of the wave
is 30 m s−1

What is the path difference between the two waves at R in terms of the wavelength λ
of the waves?
 
A 4.8λ  
B 8.0λ  
C 13.3λ  
D 20.0λ  
(Total 1 mark)

Q6.
 The fundamental frequency f is the lowest frequency heard when a stretched string is
vibrating.

The string is now lightly touched one third of the way along its length.

What is the lowest frequency heard?

 

A  
 

B  
 

C f  

D 3f  
(Total 1 mark)

Q7.
A uniform wire, fixed at both ends, is plucked in the middle so that it vibrates at the first
harmonic as shown.

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

(Total 1 mark)

Q8. (a) State what is meant by

 (i) the frequency of a progressive wave,

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

(ii) the speed of a progressive wave.

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

(b) One end of a long string is attached to an oscillator. The string passes over a
frictionless pulley and is kept taut by means of a weight, as shown in Fig. 5.1.

The frequency of oscillation is varied and, at one value of frequency, the wave formed
on the string is as shown in Fig. 5.1.

(i) Explain why the wave is said to be a stationary wave.

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

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

(ii) State what is meant by an antinode.

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

(iii) On Fig. 5.1, label the antinodes with the letter A. [1]
(6 marks)
Q9. The diagram shows Young’s double-slit experiment performed with a tungsten filament
lamp as the light source.

(a)     On the axes in the diagram above, sketch a graph to show how the intensity varies with
position for a monochromatic light source.
(2)

(b)     (i)      For an interference pattern to be observed the light has to be emitted by two
coherent sources.
Explain what is meant by coherent sources.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii)     Explain how the use of the single slit in the arrangement above makes the light from the
two slits sufficiently coherent for fringes to be observed.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)
 (iii)    In this experiment light behaves as a wave. Explain how the bright fringes are formed.

______________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(c)     (i)      A scientist carries out the Young double-slit experiment using a laser that emits violet
light of wavelength 405 nm. The separation of the slits is 5.00 × 10–5 m.

Using a metre ruler the scientist measures the separation of two adjacent bright fringes
in the central region of the pattern to be 4 mm.

Calculate the distance between the double slits and the screen.

distance = ____________________ m
(2)

(ii)     Describe the change to the pattern seen on the screen when the violet laser is replaced
by a green laser. Assume the brightness of the central maximum is the same for both
lasers.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)
(iii)    The scientist uses the same apparatus to measure the wavelength of visible electromagnetic
radiation emitted by another laser.
Describe how he should change the way the apparatus is arranged and used in order to obtain an
accurate value for the wavelength.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 13 marks)

Q10.
A stationary wave is formed on a stretched wire.

Figure 1 shows the wire, fixed at one end, supported by two bridges and passing over
a pulley.

Figure 1

A 0.500 kg mass is attached to the free end of the wire.

A uniform horizontal magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the wire between the
bridges.
A signal generator is connected to each end of the wire.

The oscilloscope shown is used to determine the frequency of the output of the signal
generator. The wire oscillates because the alternating current in the wire interacts with
the magnetic field.

Figure 2 shows the first harmonic stationary wave produced when the distance x
between the bridges is adjusted.

(a)  The output potential difference (pd) of the signal generator is displayed on the
oscilloscope, as shown in Figure 3.

The time-base setting of the oscilloscope is 10 ms cm–1.

Determine f, the frequency of the alternating pd.

 f = ____________________ Hz (2)

(b)  A metre ruler is placed next to the bridges supporting the wire, as shown in
Figure 4.

Figure 4

Determine the wavelength of the stationary wave shown in Figure 4.

λ = ____________________ m
(2)

(c)  The stationary wave is formed by two waves of frequency f and wavelength

travelling λ with speed c in opposite directions.

Determine c.

c = ____________________ m s–1
(1)
(d)  A student uses digital vernier callipers to measure the diameter of a cylindrical
metal rod. The student places the rod between the jaws of the callipers and
records the reading indicated. Without pressing the zero button, the student
removes the rod and closes the jaws.

Figure 5 shows the calliper readings in millimetres, before and after the jaws are
closed.

Figure 5

Calculate the diameter d of the rod.

d = ____________________ mm
(1)

(e)   Describe relevant procedures to limit the effect of random error in the result for d.

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________
(2)
 (Total 8 marks)

Q11. Figure 1 shows the structure of a violin and Figure 2 shows a close-up image of the tuning
pegs.
 

The strings are fixed at end A. The strings pass over a bridge and the other ends of the
strings are wound around tuning pegs that have a circular cross-section.

(a)     Explain how a stationary wave is produced when a stretched string is plucked.

________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________(3)

(b)      The vibrating length of string is 0.33m.  Determine the speed at which waves
travel along the string when it vibrates with a first-harmonic frequency of 370 Hz
 speed of waves = ____________________ m s–1 (1)
(Total 4 marks)

Q12.
A long tube, fitted with a tap, is filled with water. A tuning fork is sounded above the top of the tube
as the water is allowed to run out of the tube, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

tuning fork
512 Hz

Fig. 6.1 Fig. 6.2

A loud sound is first heard when the water level is as shown in Fig. 6.1, and then again when
the water level is as shown in Fig. 6.2.

Fig. 6.1 illustrates the stationary wave produced in the tube.

(a) On Fig. 6.2,

(i) sketch the form of the stationary wave set up in the tube, [1]
(ii) mark, with the letter N, the positions of any nodes of the stationary wave. [1]
(b) The frequency of the fork is 512 Hz and the difference in the height of the water level for
the two positions where a loud sound is heard is 32.4 cm.

Calculate the speed of sound in the tube.

speed = …………………… m s–1 [3]

(c) The length of the column of air in the tube in Fig. 6.1 is 15.7 cm.

Suggest where the antinode of the stationary wave produced in the tube in Fig. 6.1 is
likely to be found.

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

..................................................................................................................................... [2]
(7 marks)Q13. The figure below shows a spectrometer that uses a diffraction grating to split a beam
of light into its constituent wavelengths and enables the angles of the diffracted beams to be
measured.

(a)     Give one possible application of the spectrometer and diffraction grating used in this
way.

___________________________________________________________________(1)

(b)     (i)    When the spectrometer telescope is rotated from an initial angle of zero
degrees, a spectrum is not observed until the angle of diffraction θ is about
50°. State the order of this spectrum.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii)     White light is directed into the spectrometer. Light emerges at A and B. State
one difference between the light emerging at B compared to that emerging at
A.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(c)     The angle of diffraction θ at the centre of the observed beam B in the image above
is 51.0° and the grating has 1480 lines per mm.

Calculate the wavelength of the light observed at the centre of beam B.

Page 16 of 24
 wavelength ____________________ m
(3)

(d)     Determine by calculation whether any more orders could be observed at the
wavelength calculated in part (c).

 
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Page 17 of 24
Mark schemes

Q1.
A
[1]

Q2.
 
C
[1]

Q3.
D
[1]

Q4.
B
[1]

Q5.
C
[1]

Q6.
D
[1]

Q7.
A
[1]
Q8.

Q9.
(a)     uniform width peaks ✓ (accurate to within ± one division)
peaks need to be rounded ie not triangular
the minima do not need to be exactly zero

a collection of peaks of constant amplitude or amplitude decreasing away from

central peak ✓
pattern must look symmetrical by eye
condone errors towards the edge of the pattern
double width centre peak total mark = 0 2

(b)     (i)      constant / fixed / same phase relationship / difference (and same

frequency / wavelength) ✓
in phase is not enough for the mark
1

(ii)     single slit acts as a point / single source diffracting / spreading light to

both slits ✓
OR
the path lengths between the single slit and the double slits are
constant / the same / fixed ✓
1

(iii)    superposition of waves from two slits ✓

phrase ‘constructive superposition’ = 2 marks

diffraction (patterns) from both slits overlap (and interfere constructively)

✓ (this mark may come from a diagram)

constructive interference / reinforcement (at bright fringe)

peaks meet peaks / troughs meet troughs ✓ (any reference to antinode
 will lose this mark)

waves from each slit meet in phase

OR path difference = n λ ✓
4 max 3

(c)     (i)      D = ax/l = ✓ do not penalise any incorrect powers of

ten for this mark
= 0.5 (m) ✓ (0.4938 m)
numbers can be substituted into the equation using any form
note 0.50 m is wrong because of a rounding error
full marks available for answer only
2

(ii)     fringes further apart or fringe / pattern has a greater width / is wider ✓

ignore any incorrect reasoning
changes to green is not enough for mark
1

(iii)    increase D ✓
measure across more than 2 maxima ✓
several / few implies more than two

added detail which includes ✓

explaining that when D is increased then w increases
Or
repeat the reading with a changed distance D or using different numbers
of fringes or measuring across different pairs of (adjacent) fringes
Or
explaining how either of the first two points improves / reduces the
percentage error.
no mark for darkened room
3
[13]

Q10. (a)  f (from  ) in range 61 ± 1 Hz 1✔ 2✔

OR

61 ± 3 Hz 12✔

maximum 1 mark for POT error OR incorrect rounding

no credit for 1 sf; treat 60 as 2 sf unless clearly rounded to 6 × 101

for 1✔ 2✔ require ≥ 2 sf that rounds to not less than 60 and
not more than 62
for 12✔ require ≥ 2 sf that rounds to not less than 58 but less
than 60
OR
 for 12✔ require ≥ 2 sf that rounds to more than 62 but not
more than 64
if incorrect rounding leads to 60 treat this as 1 sf and give no
credit

use of  does not have to be seen; marks are for final

answer seen
2

(b)  (figures) 804 and 226 seen in working 1✔

λ = difference between their readings × 2;

given to nearest mm; expect 1.156 (m)

OR

to nearest cm; expect 1.16 (m) 2✔

for 1✔ 578 is not enough
for 2✔ range is based on x = (804 – 226 =) 578 ± 2mm;
give no credit for POT errors eg 115.6 / 116 etc
accept 1156 mm etc if unit on answer line is amended
2

(c)  c correctly evaluated to ≥ 2 sf from their f × their λ ✔

substituted data may be from 03.1/2 final answers or
unrounded (intermediate) data from working
expected answer = 61 × 0.578 × 2 = 70.5 m s–1
1

(d)  0.71 (mm) ✔
only answer that gets mark
1

(e)   ANY TWO FROM

repeat readings at different points along the rod and calculate an average /
mean 1✔

repeat readings in different directions (perpendicular to the rod) and calculate

an average / mean 2✔

reject / discard anomalous readings before calculating an average / mean 3✔

award 123✔= 1 MAX for checking at different points / in different directions to

confirm that the rod is uniform / that there are no anomalies
allow ‘cylinder’ / ‘wire’ etc for rod
for 1✔ 2✔ and 3✔ averaging idea only needs to be seen
once;
 if averaging idea missing then allow ‘repeat at different
points and in different directions, then remove anomalies’
123✔= 1 MAX

if ‘calculate’ is not seen allow ‘work out’ / /‘determine’ /

‘compute’; anything that sounds like a mathematical process
is ok;
’find’ / ‘obtain’ / ‘take’ / ‘do an average’ are just ok;
‘get’ is not ok
for 1✔ allow repeat at ‘different positions’ / ‘down / along the
rod’
for 2✔ allow (repeat in different directions) ‘around the rod’ /
‘different orientations’ / ‘angles’ / ‘planes’ / ‘sides’
for 3✔ allow ‘ignore anomalies’; ‘outlier’ = ‘anomaly’
reject ‘calculate an average to eliminate effect of anomalies’
treat as neutral: ‘turn the wheel to close the callipers’ /
suggestions about calibration
treat as neutral: ‘zero callipers before use’ this is a procedure
to eliminate a source of systematic error 2 [8]

Q11.
(a)     Waves travel to the boundaries and are reflected ✔ 1

two waves travelling in opposite directions interfere/superpose ✔ 1

Fixed boundaries (cannot move so) are nodes ✔

creates nodes and antinodes bland = 0

In some positions the waves always cancel /interfere destructively to give zero
amplitude/no vibration/nodes)
OR
interfere constructively to produce positions of maximum amplitude/maximum
vibration/antinodes ✔ 1 Max 3

(b)        240 (244) (m s–1)

1
[4]
Q12.

Q13.

(a)     one of:(spectral) analysis of light from stars

(analyse) composition of stars, chemical analysis, x-ray crystallography, measuring red shift \ rotation
of stars ✓
1

(b)     (i)      first order beam

first order spectrum
first order image
✓
Allow ‘n = 1’ , ‘1’ , ‘one’, 1 st

(ii)     the light at A will appear white (and at B there will be a spectrum)

OR greater intensity at A ✓
1

(c)     ( d = 1 / (lines per mm × 10 ) 3

= 6.757 × 10 (m) OR 6.757 × 10 (mm) ✓

−7 −4

( nλ = d sin θ )
= 6.757 × 10 × sin 51.0 ✓ ecf only for :
−7

    •    incorrect power of ten in otherwise correct calculation of d

    •    use of d = 1480, 1.48, 14.8 (etc)
    •    from incorrect order in bii

= 5.25 × 10 (m) ✓ ecf only for :

−7

    •    incorrect power of ten in otherwise correct d

     •    from incorrect order in bii
Some working required for full marks. Correct answer only
gets 2
Power of 10 error in d gets max 2
For use of d in mm, answer =
5.25 × 10 gets max 2
−4

n = 2 gets max 2 unless ecf from bii

use of d = 1480 yields wavelength of 1150m
3

(d)     n = d (sin90) / λ    OR n = 6.757 × 10 / 5.25 × 10 ✓ ecf both numbers from c
−7 −7

= 1.29 so no more beams observed ✓ or answer consistent with their working

OR

2 = d (sinθ) / λ OR sinθ = 2 × 5.25 × 10 / 6.757 × 10 ✓ ecf both numbers

−7 −7

from c

sinθ = 1.55 (so not possible to calculate angle) so no more beams ✓

OR sin (2 × (their λ / their d) ) ✓

−1

(not possible to calculate) so no more beams ✓ ecf

Accept 1.28, 1.3
Second line gets both marks
Conclusion consistent with working
2
[8]