Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Interference

Interference — practice question

Figure 5.1 shows how the displacement y of wave X changes with time t as the wave passes point P. The intensity of wave X is I.
(a)[2]

Use Fig. 5.1 to find the frequency of wave X.

(b)[3]

A second wave Z, which has the same frequency as wave X, also passes point P. Wave Z has intensity 2I. The phase difference between the two waves is 90^\circ. On Fig. 5.1, sketch how the displacement y of wave Z varies with time t. Show your working.

(c)

A double-slit interference arrangement is used to find the wavelength of light from a laser, as shown in Fig. 5.2. The slit separation is 0.45\,\text{mm}. The fringes are observed on a screen at a distance D from the double slit. The fringe width x is recorded for a range of distances D. The way x varies with D is shown in Fig. 5.3.

(c(i))[4]

Use the gradient of the line in Fig. 5.3 to find the wavelength, in nm, of the laser light.

(c(ii))[2]

The slit separation is increased. State and explain what effect, if any, this has on the graph in Fig. 5.3.

(ii)[2]

The slit separation is increased. State and explain the effect, if any, on the graph in Fig. 5.3.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 13-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: T = 4\ \text{ms} = 4 \times 10^{-3}\ \text{s}, so f = \frac{1}{T} = 250\ \text{Hz}

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