PHYSICS NYC

Waves, Optics and Modern Physics

Sample Final Examination – Winter 2021
Duration: 2 Hours
Circle your instructor’s name: XXXXXX

NAME ________________________________ID. __________ROW: SEAT:

This exam is made up of two sections: Section A, consisting of 20 multiple choice questions
worth 1 mark each and Section B, consisting of long answer problems worth a total of 46 marks.
Some problems in Section B consist of several parts. This exam is worth 40% of your course
grade.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. You will find a list of equations and constants on the last page of this exam booklet. THE
EQUATIONThis PAGEexam MAY isBEprovided
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pouches, etc. Programmable calculators are not allowed. ask teachers for help if they are stuck.

6. If you need the solution from a previous part of the problem, but you haven’t been able to solve
for it, assume a reasonable value (stating you are doing so) and use it to solve the latter part(s). If
a question seems unclear, make an assumption, and state clearly that you are doing so. Teachers
will not answer clarification questions.

7. Give all final answers to three significant figures (unless otherwise indicated).

Grades:
Multiple 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Choice [5] [7] [4] [4] [6] [7] [ 7] [6]
Total /66
PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 2 of 14
Section A: MULTIPLE CHOICE 3.00

2.00

Velocity (cm/s)
1.00
Question 1
0.00
The following shows the velocity-time graph
-1.00
for an object in simple harmonic motion. -2.00

-3.00
Which graphs show the corresponding position- 2 6 10 14 18 22

time and acceleration-time curves? Tim e (s)

5.00 2.00
4.00 1.50

Acceleration (cm/s^2)
3.00
1.00
Position (cm)

2.00
1.00 0.50
0.00 0.00
-1.00 -0.50
a) -2.00 -1.00
-3.00
-4.00
-1.50
-5.00 -2.00
2 6 10 14 18 22 2 6 10 14 18 22

Time (s) Time (s)

5.00 2.00
4.00 Acceleration (cm/s^2) 1.50
3.00
1.00
Position (cm)

2.00
1.00 0.50
0.00 0.00
-1.00 -0.50
b) -2.00 -1.00
-3.00
-4.00
-1.50
-5.00 -2.00
2 6 10 14 18 22 2 6 10 14 18 22

Time (s) Time (s)

5.00 3.00
4.00
Acceleration (cm/s^2)

3.00 2.00
Position (cm)

2.00 1.00
1.00
0.00 0.00
-1.00
c) -2.00
-1.00
-3.00 -2.00
-4.00
-5.00 -3.00
2 6 10 14 18 22 2 6 10 14 18 22
Time (s) Time (s)

5.00 2.00
4.00 1.50
Acceleration (cm/s^2)

3.00
1.00
Position (cm)

2.00
1.00 0.50
0.00 0.00
-1.00 -0.50
d) -2.00 -1.00
-3.00
-1.50
-4.00
-5.00 -2.00
2 6 10 14 18 22 2 6 10 14 18 22

Time (s) Time (s)

PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 3 of 14

Question 2
Which choice of laboratory equipment would enable you to determine the gravity of an unknown
planet you are visiting?
a) Stopwatch, 50 cm of string, 100 g mass
b) Spring with k=20 N/m, stopwatch, 100 g mass
c) 50 cm of string, ruler, spring with k=20 N/m
d) 100 g mass, ruler, 50 cm of string
e) Stopwatch, ruler, spring with k=20 N/m

Question 3
Which of the following represents the equation of a standing wave fixed at both ends?
a) y(x,t) = 5sin(20x) cos(14t)
b) y(x,t) = 5sin(20x - 14t)
c) y(x,t) = 5cos(20x - 14t)
d) y(x,t) = 5cos(20x) sin(14t)
e) y(x,t) = 5cos(20x) cos(14t)

Question 4
String 1 with mass per unit length  is wiggled with frequency f. String 2 with mass per unit
length 4 is wiggled with the same frequency f. The tension is the same in both strings. How do
the positions of the nodes in the two strings compare?
a) The nodes are twice as far apart in the heavier string.
b) The nodes are twice as close together in the heavier string.
c) The nodes are four times as far apart in the heavier string.
d) The nodes are four times closer together in the heavier string.
e) The distance between the nodes is the same in the lighter and in the heavier string.

Question 5
When an open-ended organ pipe is placed in air, its fundamental mode has frequency f1,air and
wavelength 1,air. What will happen to the frequency and wavelength of the fundamental mode of
the organ pipe when it is placed in helium? The velocity of sound in helium is 3 times greater than
the velocity of sound in air.
a) f1,helium = 0.333f1,air ; 1,helium =31,air
b) f1,helium = f1,air ; 1,helium =1,air
c) f1,helium = 3f1,air ; 1,helium =31,air
d) f1,helium = f1,air ; 1,helium =31,air
e) f1,helium = 3f1,air ; 1,helium =1,air

Question 6
A slow train is travelling directly towards you while sounding its whistle at a frequency of
420 Hz. In order for you to hear that same frequency, you must:
a) Run directly toward the train at a constant velocity
b) Run directly away from the train at a constant velocity
c) Stand perfectly still
d) Accelerate toward the train
e) Accelerate away from the train
PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 4 of 14
Question 7
To produce beats it is necessary to use two waves:
a) travelling in opposite directions
b) of slightly different frequencies
c) of equal wavelengths
d) of equal amplitudes
e) whose ratio of frequencies is an integer

Question 8
Which of the following can increase the speed of a sound wave that’s emitted from a particular
source?
a) Move the source with non-zero velocity at the same time that the sound wave is
produced.
b) Increase the frequency of the sound waves.
c) Increase the amplitude of the sound waves.
d) Let the sound wave interfere with a second sound wave of slightly higher frequency.
e) None of the above will increase its speed.

Question 9
Two speakers emit sound waves with identical wavelengths. The phase difference at the speakers
is φ. A student stands at a location that is 18 m from one speaker and 16 m from the other. In
which of the following circumstances will the student find himself at an intensity minimum?
a) λ = 2 m φ=0
b) λ = 1 m φ=0
c) λ = 4 m φ = 2π
d) λ = 0.8 m φ = π
e) λ = 0.5 m φ = (½)π

Question 10
If two identical waves with a phase difference of 6π are added, the result is
a) a wave with the same frequency but twice the amplitude
b) a wave with the same amplitude but twice the frequency
c) a wave with zero amplitude
d) a wave with the same frequency but twice the period
e) a wave with zero frequency

Question 11
The diagram shows a single slit with the direction to a
point P on a distant screen shown. At P, the pattern
has its second minimum (from its central maximum).
If X and Y are the edges of the slit, what is the path
length difference (PX) – (PY)?
a) /2 b)  c) 3/2 d) 2 e) 5/2
PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 5 of 14

Question 12
Consider a multiple slit experiment, which may have 3, 4, 5, or more slits being studied. Assume
that in each experiment the distance between the slits, the distance from the slits to the screen, and
the wavelength of light used, all remain the same. The slit width is extremely small, so we can
neglect diffraction.
As the number of slits increases,
a) the position of the principal interference maxima stays the same and the maxima
become dimmer.
b) the position of the principal interference maxima stays the same and the maxima
become brighter.
c) the principal interference maxima move apart and the maxima become dimmer.
d) the principal interference maxima move apart and the maxima become brighter.
e) the principal interference maxima move closer together and the maxima become
dimmer.

Question 13
The following represents the intensity pattern of laser light after passing through an unknown
number of thin slits.
centerline

What is the phase difference between light from adjacent slits at the intensity minimum indicated
by point “B”?
a)7π/2 b) 11π c) 3π/2 d) 3π e) 10π/3

Question 14
You have a light source that emits two nearly-identical wavelengths of light, λ1 and λ2. You have
set up a diffraction grating to observe the two spectral lines individually, but are not satisfied with
their separation. In order to increase the separation between the lines, you should:
a) decrease the order you are observing.
b) double the number of slits per centimetre in your diffraction grating.
c) squint your eyes, and if that fails, let your lab partner worry about it (this is incorrect).
d) increase the distance between adjacent slits.
e) decrease the number of slits, N, which are illuminated by the light source.

Question 15
According to the Bohr theory, a hydrogen atom:
a) does not radiate when it is in a stationary state.
b) radiates when the electron accelerates in a circular orbit.
c) remains in the ground state until it gives off a photon.
d) gives off a continuous spectrum.
e) has an electron in the ground state, an electron in the n=1 state, an electron in the
n=2 state, and so on.
PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 6 of 14
Question 16
The graph shows the stopping potential for electrons as a function of the frequency of the incident
light for two different metals (Cs and W). Choose the true statement:
a) Because the intercepts are different,
Planck's constant is not constant.
b) For a given frequency of incident light,
the electrons released from W are more
energetic than those from Cs.
c) The maximum kinetic energy of the
electrons increases as the frequency of the
incident light increases.
d) The stopping potentials for all metals are
the same.
e) The threshold frequency for Cs is greater
than that for W.

Question 17
If the frequency of light causing photoemission of electrons is doubled, then the kinetic energy of
the ejected electrons…
a) increases, but by an amount which cannot be determined with the given data.
b) exactly doubles.
c) decreases, but by an amount which cannot be determined with the given data.
d) decreases by a factor of exactly two.
e) is unaffected since the work function is constant.

Question 18
Einstein's Theory of Relativity is based upon which postulate:
a) there is a limit to the accuracy of any measurement.
b) light is composed of packets of energy.
c) electrons orbit atoms at certain specific radial distances.
d) the laws of physics are the same for any inertial frame of reference.
e) a collision between high-energy electrons and protons creates Schrödinger wave-strings.

Question 19
The spaceship NYC ABBOTT is traveling through the galaxy. When it is near a mysterious
planet, it sends off a crew in a small shuttle craft. The proper time for the shuttle to travel from the
ABBOTT to the planet is measured by:
a) clocks on the Earth.
b) clocks on the mysterious planet.
c) clocks on the ABBOTT.
d) clocks on the shuttle.
e) clocks stationary with respect to the galaxy.

Question 20
Your space vehicle is travelling toward the earth with a speed c/2, where c = 3108 m/s is the
velocity of light. A light signal is sent from earth. The speed with which this light passes your
vehicle, as measured by the crew, would be:
a) ¼ c b) ½ c c) c d) ¾ c e) c/(1 – 1/4)1/2
PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 7 of 14
Section B: PROBLEMS

Problem 1
An object of mass m1 = 9.00 kg is in equilibrium while connected to a light spring
of constant k = 100.0 N/m that is fastened to a wall as shown in part (a) of the figure.
A scientist pushes m1, which compresses the spring by an amount A = 0.200 m. The surface is
frictionless. The block is released from rest at t=0s.
Determine the velocity of the block at t=1.25s. [5]
PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 8 of 14
Problem 2
The following two graphs give details of a wave traveling down a wire which has a mass per unit
length of 100.0 g/m. The first graph shows the vertical displacement of the wire as a function of
time for the point where x = 0 meters. The second graph shows the displacement of the wire as a
function of horizontal position when t = 0.750 seconds.
Displacement of point x=0 of the wire from Vertical position of wire as a function of
equilibrium as a function of time horizontal position for t=0.75s
0,015 0,015

0,010 0,010

0,005 0,005

y(m)
y(m)

0,000 0,000
0 0,1 0,2 0,3 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,9 1 0 2 4 6 8 10
-0,005 -0,005

-0,010 -0,010

-0,015 -0,015
t (s) x(m)

a. Find the speed, angular frequency, wave number and amplitude of the travelling wave. [4]

b. Sketch the wire at t = 0. [3]

0.015

0.010

0.005
y (m)

0.000

-0.005

-0.010

-0.015
0 2 4 6 8 10
x (m)
PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 9 of 14
Problem 3
The frequency of the third harmonic of organ pipe “A” which is open at both ends is equal to
the frequency of the third harmonic of organ pipe “B” which is closed at one end. The
fundamental frequency of organ pipe “A” is 256.0 Hz.
What is the length of each pipe? [4]

Problem 4 Topic not covered in W2021

A person typing produces an intensity level of 60.0 dB. What will be the intensity level of three
persons typing at the same instant? [4]
PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 10 of 14
Problem 5
The observed frequency of a train whistle is 475.0 Hz as it approaches a stationary observer and is
410.0 Hz as it recedes.
Find the speed of the train AND the frequency heard by a passenger on the train. [6]
PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 11 of 14
Problem 6
In a double slit experiment, the distance between slits is measured to be 0.720 mm. A screen is
located 1.20 m from the slits and light of wavelength 550.0 nm is used to illuminate the slits. If
there are eleven interference maxima within the central diffraction maximum:
a. What is the width of a slit? [4]

b. At what angle from the center line is the second missing interference maximum? [3]
PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 12 of 14
Problem 7
An alpha particle [mα = 6.64×10-27 kg] trapped in the nucleus of an atom can be modelled as a
particle moving in a one-dimensional box of width 1.0010-14 m. Using this model, calculate:
a) The ground state energy of the -particle [2]

b) the wavelength of the photon that could promote the -particle to the second excited state. [3]

c) Sketch the wave function and the probability density for the -particle in the box when it
occupies the stationary state n = 3. On each graph, indicate the most probable position(s) of the -
particle. [2]
Wave function: Probability density:
PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 13 of 14
Problem 8
An observer on Earth measures the length of a spaceship to be exactly half its rest length.
a) What is the speed of the spaceship relative to the Earth frame of reference? [2]

b) What is the observer’s speed in the spaceship’s frame of reference? [1]

c) The spaceship is sent on a mission to planet Unknown 0.500 light-year away in the Earth frame
of reference. Determine the time it takes for the spaceship to reach the planet both in the Earth
frame and in the spaceship frame of reference. [2]

d) Who measure proper length for the Earth-planet distance?

Who measures proper time for the duration of the spaceship’s trip to the planet Unknown? [1]
PHYSICS NYC Sample Final Exam Winter 2021 Page 14 of 14

Answers:

Multiple-Choice questions:

1: d 6: b 11: d 16: c
2: a 7: b 12: b 17: a
3: a 8: e 13: a 18: d
4: b 9: c 14: b 19: d
5: e 10: a 15: a 20: c

Problems:
Problem 2b)
Problem 1
v(1.25) = -0.570 m/s

Problem 2
a) =20.9 rad/s; k=1.57 rad/m; A= 0.0100 m
v=13.3m/s

Problem 3
Open open pipe: 0.670 m Open-closed pipe: 0.335 m

Problem 4 (dB not on final in W2021)

𝛽(3 𝑡𝑦𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠) = 64.8𝑑𝐵

Problem 5
v_train=25.2 m/s Frequency_whistle 440Hz

Problem 6
a) Width of a slit 0.120 mm b) 2nd missing interference max at 0.00916 rad or 0.525 deg
Problem 7c)
Problem 7
a) E= 8.2810-14J b) =3.0010-13m c)

Problem 8
a) v=0.866c b) 0.866c c) t_Earth_frame=0.577yr; t_spaceship_frame= 0.289yr
d) the proper length is measured in the Earth frame of reference and the proper time is measured
in the spaceship frame of reference.