1 Fig. 2.

1 shows the variation with distance x along a wave of its displacement d at a particular
time.

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2
x/m

Fig. 2.1

The wave is a progressive wave having a speed of 330 m s–1.

(a) (i) Use Fig. 2.1 to determine the wavelength of the wave.

wavelength = ................................... m

(ii) Hence calculate the frequency of the wave.

frequency = .................................... Hz
[3]

(b) A second wave has the same frequency and speed as the wave shown in Fig. 2.1 but
has double the intensity. The phase difference between the two waves is 180°.

On the axes of Fig. 2.1, sketch a graph to show the variation with distance x of the
displacement d of this second wave. [2]

Teacher: Moyin Sir

2 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

32.4 cm

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]

Teacher: Moyin Sir

(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.

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

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

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

Teacher: Moyin Sir

3. (a) State what is meant by

(i) the frequency of a progressive wave,

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

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

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

(ii) the speed of a progressive wave.

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

.............................................................................................................................. [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.

string
pulley

oscillator
weight

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.

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

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

(iii) On Fig. 5.1, label the antinodes with the letter A. [1]

Teacher: Moyin Sir

(c) A weight of 4.00 N is hung from the string in (b) and the frequency of oscillation is
adjusted until a stationary wave is formed on the string. The separation of the antinodes
on the string is 17.8 cm for a frequency of 125 Hz.
The speed v of waves on a string is given by the expression
T
v= ,
m
where T is the tension in the string and m is its mass per unit length.
Determine the mass per unit length of the string.

mass per unit length = ........................................... kg m–1 [5]

Teacher: Moyin Sir

4. The variation with time t of the displacement x of a point in a transverse wave T1 is shown in
Fig. 5.1.

T1

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
t/s

-A

Fig. 5.1

(a) By reference to displacement and direction of travel of wave energy, explain what is
meant by a transverse wave.

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

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

(b) A second transverse wave T2, of amplitude A has the same waveform as wave T1 but
lags behind T1 by a phase angle of 60°. The two waves T1 and T2 pass through the
same point.

(i) On Fig. 5.1, draw the variation with time t of the displacement x of the point in
wave T2. [2]
(ii) Explain what is meant by the principle of superposition of two waves.

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

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

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

(iii) For the time t = 1.0 s, use Fig. 5.1 to determine, in terms of A,

1. the displacement due to wave T1 alone,

displacement = …………………………………….

2. the displacement due to wave T2 alone,

displacement = …………………………………….

3. the resultant displacement due to both waves.

displacement = …………………………………….
[3]

Teacher: Moyin Sir

5. A string is stretched between two fixed points. It is plucked at its centre and the string
vibrates, forming a stationary wave as illustrated in Fig. 4.1.

75 cm

Fig. 4.1

The length of the string is 75 cm.

(a) State the wavelength of the wave.

wavelength = …………………………. m [1]

(b) The frequency of vibration of the string is 360 Hz. Calculate the speed of the wave on
the string.

speed = …………………………… m s–1 [2]

(c) By reference to the formation of the stationary wave on the string, explain what is meant
by the speed calculated in (b).

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

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

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

Teacher: Moyin Sir

 6. Fig. 5.1 shows the variation with time t of the displacements xA and xB at a point P of two
sound waves A and B.

wave A
3
xA / 10 – 4 cm
2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 t / ms
–1

–2

–3

wave B
2
xB / 10 – 4 cm
1

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 t / ms
–1

–2

Fig. 5.1

(a) By reference to Fig. 5.1, state one similarity and one difference between these two
waves.

similarity: ..........................................................................................................................

difference: ................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) State, with a reason, whether the two waves are coherent.

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

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

Teacher: Moyin Sir

7. A uniform string is held between a fixed point P and a variable-frequency oscillator, as shown
in Fig. 5.1.

1
8L

X
P
Y
oscillator
1
8L

Fig. 5.1

The distance between point P and the oscillator is L.

The frequency of the oscillator is adjusted so that the stationary wave shown in Fig. 5.1 is
formed.

Points X and Y are two points on the string.

Point X is a distance 18L from the end of the string attached to the oscillator. It vibrates with
frequency f and amplitude A.

Point Y is a distance 18L from the end P of the string.

(a) For the vibrations of point Y, state

(i) the frequency (in terms of f ),

frequency = ................................................ [1]

(ii) the amplitude (in terms of A).

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

(b) State the phase difference between the vibrations of point X and point Y.

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

© UCLES 2009 9702/22/O/N/09

Teacher: Moyin Sir

(c) (i) State, in terms of f and L, the speed of the wave on the string.

speed = ................................................ [1]

(ii) The wave on the string is a stationary wave.

Explain, by reference to the formation of a stationary wave, what is meant by the

speed stated in (i).

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

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

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

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

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

Teacher: Moyin Sir