Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Stationary waves

Stationary waves — practice question

(a)[1]

State how progressive waves and stationary waves differ in whether they transfer energy along the wave.

(b(i))[1]

Use Fig. 4.1 to find the wavelength of the wave.

(b(ii))[2]

Calculate the wave speed.

(b(iii))[1]

Determine the phase difference for points Q and R.

(b)

A progressive wave travels from left to right along a stretched string. Fig. 4.1 shows part of the string at one instant. P, Q and R are three different points on the string. The distance between P and R is $0.48\,\text{m}$. The wave has a period of $0.020\,\text{s}$.

(b(iv))[2]

Fig. 4.1 shows the string at time $t = 0$. Describe how the displacement of point Q on the string changes with time from $t = 0$ to $t = 0.010\,\text{s}$.

(c)

A stationary wave is produced on another string stretched between fixed points X and Y. Fig. 4.2 shows the string at the instant when every point is at maximum displacement.

(c(i))[1]

Explain what is meant by the term node in a stationary wave.

(c(ii))[1]

State how many antinodes are shown by the wave in Fig. 4.2.

(c(iii))[1]

State the phase difference between points W and Z along the string.

(c(iv))[1]

A new stationary wave is now formed on the string. The new wave has a frequency that is half of the frequency of the wave shown in Fig. 4.2. The speed of the wave is unchanged. On Fig. 4.3, draw a position of the string, for this new wave, when every point is at maximum displacement.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 11-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Progressive waves transfer energy, whereas stationary waves do not transfer energy

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