Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Interference

Interference — practice question

(a)[1]

State what the wavelength of a progressive wave means.

(b)[2]

A cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO) is being used to examine a sound wave. The CRO time-base is set to $2.5\,\text{ms cm}^{-1}$. Find the frequency of the sound wave.

(c(i))[1]

Show that the waves arriving at $C$ have a path difference of $6.4\,\text{m}$.

(c(ii))[2]

Explain why an intensity maximum is observed at point $C$.

(c(iii))[2]

Determine the difference between the times taken for sound to travel from the source to point $C$ along the two different paths.

(c(iv))[1]

The wavelength of the sound is increased gradually. Calculate the wavelength when the next intensity maximum is detected at point $C$.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 9-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: The distance travelled by the wavefront/energy in one cycle, or the separation between adjacent wavefronts

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