AS and A Level Physics Original material Cambridge University Press 2010 1

16 Worksheet (AS)
1 Which of the statements about stationary waves is true? [1]
A A node occurs where the vibration is at a maximum.
B An antinode occurs where the vibration is at a maximum.
C The distance between consecutive antinodes is one wavelength.
D The distance between consecutive nodes is one wavelength.
2 The diagram shows the fundamental mode of vibration on a string. The string is vibrating with a
frequency of 60 Hz.

Which diagram shows the second harmonic, with the correct frequency of vibration? [1]






3 The diagram shows the apparatus used to measure the wavelength of microwaves.

As a detector is moved from the transmitter to the metal plate, maxima are found at points
P, Q, R, S and T. What is the wavelength of the microwaves? [1]
A 4 cm
B 5 cm
C 10 cm
D 40 cm
frequency = 30 Hz
frequency = 20 Hz
frequency = 120 Hz
frequency = 180 Hz
A B
C D
16 Worksheet (AS)
AS and A Level Physics Original material Cambridge University Press 2010 2
4 Which diagram shows the fundamental mode of vibration in an open pipe? [1]








5 A vibrating tuning fork, held above a tube, sets up a standing wave in the air in the tube.
Which of the following statements is correct? [1]
A At the antinodes the particles vibrate back and forth, parallel to the length of the tube.
B At the antinodes the particles vibrate from side to side, perpendicular to the length of the tube.
C At the nodes the particles vibrate back and forth, parallel to the length of the tube.
D At the nodes the particles vibrate from side to side, perpendicular to the length of the tube.
6 One end of a rope is fixed and the other end is shaken rhythmically. A stationary (standing)
wave is formed on the rope. Explain how such a wave is formed on the rope. [2]
7 The diagram shows a stationary wave on a string.


a Mark the positions of the nodes (N) and the antinodes (A). [2]
b Explain what is meant by a node and an antinode. [2]
c Determine the wavelength of the progressive waves on the string. [2]
8 A string of length 80 cm is fixed at both ends. The middle of the string is plucked. This creates
a stationary wave pattern on the string with one complete loop. The string is vibrating in
fundamental mode with a frequency of 20 Hz. Calculate:
a the wavelength of the progressive wave on the string [2]
b the speed of the progressive wave on the string. [3]
75 cm
A B
C
D
16 Worksheet (AS)
AS and A Level Physics Original material Cambridge University Press 2010 3
9 A tuning fork vibrating at a frequency of 490 Hz is held above the open end of an empty bottle.
When the length of the air column within the bottle is 17 cm, a fundamental mode of vibration
is set up in the air within the bottle and a loud sound is heard.
a Sketch a diagram of the stationary wave pattern. (Assume the air within the bottle is a
uniform cylinder of air.) [2]
b Determine the wavelength of the sound waves. [2]
c Hence determine the speed of sound in air. [3]
10 A string of length 1.6 m is held under tension. When the string is made to vibrate at a frequency
of 400 Hz, three antinodes are formed along this length of the string. Determine the speed of the
progressive waves that form the stationary wave pattern. [5]
11 The diagram below shows a stationary wave pattern formed in the air between the open ends
of a tube when a vibrating loudspeaker is held at one end. The positions of the nodes (N) and
antinodes (A) are also shown.
The length L of the tube is 60 cm. The speed of sound is 340 m s
1
.
Determine the frequency of sound from the loudspeaker. [5]

16 Worksheet (AS)
AS and A Level Physics Original material Cambridge University Press 2010 4
12 In a resonance-tube experiment, a tuning fork vibrating at
a frequency of 256 Hz is held over the open end of a tube
(as shown in the diagram).
A stationary wave can form in the air between the open end of
the tube and the surface of the water. The antinode at the open
end of the tube does not occur exactly at the end but at a small
distance c from this end. The distance c is known as the end-
correction. The value of c for a particular tube does not
depend on the harmonic.
This experiment takes into account any errors that may occur
due to the end-correction. The tube is fully immersed into the
water. The open end of the tube is slowly raised. A loud
sound is first heard when the top of the tube is 30 cm above
the surface of the water. The next loud sound is heard when
the top of the tube is 95 cm above the water surface.
Use this information to determine the speed of sound in air.
[6]

Total:
41
Score: %