EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT
Earn 100

(b) This diagram shows an experiment to measure the speed of a sound in a string. The frequency of the vibrator is adjusted until the stationary wave shown is formed.

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(i) On a copy of the diagram, mark a node (label it N) and an antinode (label it A).

Important Questions on Stationary Waves

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

(b) This diagram shows an experiment to measure the speed of a sound in a string. The frequency of the vibrator is adjusted until the stationary wave shown is formed.

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(ii) The frequency of the vibrator is 120Hz. Calculate the speed at which a progressive wave would travel along the string.

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT
(c) The experiment is now repeated with the load on the string halved. In order to get a similar stationary wave the frequency has to be decreased to 30Hz. Explain, in terms of the speed of the wave in the string, why the frequency must be adjusted.
EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

This diagram shows a stationary wave, of frequency 400Hz, produced by a loudspeaker in a closed tube.

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(a) Describe the movement of the air particles at:

(i) A

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

This diagram shows a stationary wave, of frequency 400Hz, produced by a loudspeaker in a closed tube.

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(a) Describe the movement of the air particles at:

(ii) B

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

This diagram shows a stationary wave, of frequency 400Hz, produced by a loudspeaker in a closed tube.

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(b) The length the tube is 63.8cm.

Calculate the speed of the sound.

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

(a) Explain what is meant by:

(i) A coherent source of waves.

EASY
AS and A Level
IMPORTANT

(b) A student, experimenting with microwaves, sets up the arrangement shown in this diagram.

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With the metal plate at position A there is a very small signal. He slowly moves the plate back, leaving the receiver in the same position. As he does so, he finds that the intensity initially rises until it becomes a maximum, then falls back to a minimum. This cycle repeats a total of five times until the plate reaches position B, where once again there is a minimum.

(i) Explain why a series of maxima and minima are heard.