1 (a) State what is meant by diffraction and by interference.

diffraction: .................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................................................

interference: .........................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................[3]
(b) Light from a source S1 is incident on a diffraction grating, as illustrated in Fig. 6.1.
diffraction
light grating
S1 zero order

Fig. 6.1 (not to scale)

The light has a single frequency of 7.06 × 1014 Hz. The diffraction grating has 650 lines per millimetre.

Calculate the number of orders of diffracted light produced by the grating. Do not include the zero
order. Show your working.

number = .......................................................... [3]

(c) A second source S2 is used in place of S1. The light from S2 has a single frequency lower than that of
the light from S1.
State and explain whether more orders are seen with the light from S2.

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

2 (a) Two overlapping waves of the same type travel in the same direction. The variation with distance x
of the displacement y of each wave is shown in Fig. 6.1.
 2

Fig. 6.1

The speed of the waves is 240 m s–1. The waves are coherent and produce an interference
pattern.

(i) Explain the meaning of coherence and interference.

coherence: .........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

interference: .......................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(ii) Use Fig. 6.1 to determine the frequency of the waves.

frequency = .................................................... Hz [2]

 3

(iii) State the phase difference between the waves.

phase difference = ........................................................° [1]

(iv) Use the principle of superposition to sketch, on Fig. 6.1, the resultant wave. [2]

(b) An interference pattern is produced with the arrangement shown in Fig. 6.2.

B
S1 A
0.13 mm
S2

laser 85 cm screen
Fig. 6.2 (not to scale)

Laser light of wavelength λ of 546 nm is incident on the slits S1 and S2. The slits are a distance 0.13
mm apart. The distance between the slits and the screen is 85 cm.

Two points on the screen are labelled A and B. The path difference between S1A and S2A is zero.
The path difference between S1B and S2B is 2.5 λ. Maxima and minima of intensity of light are
produced on the screen.

(i) Calculate the distance AB.

distance = ...................................................... m [3]

(ii) The laser is replaced by a laser emitting blue light. State and explain the change in the distance
between the maxima observed on the screen.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]
 4

3 (a) Explain how stationary waves are formed.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) The arrangement of apparatus used to determine the wavelength of a sound wave is shown in Fig.
8.1.

microphone
loudspeaker

signal
generator c.r.o. metal plate

Fig. 8.1

The loudspeaker emits sound of one frequency. The microphone is connected to a cathode-ray
oscilloscope (c.r.o.).
The waveform obtained on the c.r.o. for one position of the microphone is shown in Fig. 8.2.

1.0 cm

1.0 cm

Fig. 8.2
 5

The time-base setting of the c.r.o. is 0.20 ms cm−1.

(i) Use Fig. 8.2 to show that the frequency of the sound is approximately 1300 Hz.

[2]

(ii) Explain how the apparatus is used to determine the wavelength of the sound.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii) The wavelength of the sound wave is 0.26 m. Calculate the speed of sound in this experiment.

speed = ................................................ m s−1 [2]

4 A hollow tube is used to investigate stationary waves. The tube is closed at one end and open at the
other end. A loudspeaker connected to a signal generator is placed near the open end of the tube,
as shown in Fig. 6.1.
L
loudspeaker

Q
signal P
generator

hollow tube

Fig. 6.1

The tube has length L. The frequency of the signal generator is adjusted so that the loudspeaker
produces a progressive wave of frequency 440 Hz. A stationary wave is formed in the tube. A
representation of this stationary wave is shown in Fig. 6.1.
Two points P and Q on the stationary wave are labelled.
 6

(a) (i) Describe, in terms of energy transfer, the difference between a progressive wave and a
stationary wave.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Explain how the stationary wave is formed in the tube.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[3]

(iii) State the direction of the oscillations of an air particle at point P.

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(b) On Fig. 6.1 label, with the letter N, the nodes of the stationary wave. [1] (c) State the phase

difference between points P and Q on the stationary wave.

phase difference = .......................................................... [1]

(d) The speed of sound in the tube is 330 m s–1.

Calculate

(i) the wavelength of the sound wave,

wavelength = ...................................................... m [2]

(ii) the length L of the tube.

length = ...................................................... m [2]

 7

5 Fig. 5.1 shows a string stretched between two fixed points P and Q.

string
P Q

wall
vibrator

Fig. 5.1

A vibrator is attached near end P of the string. End Q is fixed to a wall. The vibrator has a frequency
of 50 Hz and causes a transverse wave to travel along the string at a speed of 40 m s–1.

(a) (i) Calculate the wavelength of the transverse wave on the string.

wavelength = ............................................. m [2]

(ii) Explain how this arrangement may produce a stationary wave on the string.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................[2]

(b) The stationary wave produced on PQ at one instant of time t is shown on Fig. 5.2. Each point
on the string is at its maximum displacement.

P Q

Fig. 5.2 (not to scale)

(i) On Fig. 5.2, label all the nodes with the letter N and all the antinodes with the letter A.
[2]
 8

(ii) Use your answer in (a)(i) to calculate the length of string PQ.

length = ............................................. m [1]

(iii) On Fig. 5.2, draw the stationary wave at time (t + 5.0 ms). Explain your answer.

..............................................................................................................................[3]

6 (a) State two features of a stationary wave that distinguish it from a progressive wave.

1. ......................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

2. ......................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) A long tube is open at one end. It is closed at the other end by means of a piston that can be
moved along the tube, as shown in Fig. 4.1.

tube
piston

loudspeaker
L

Fig. 4.1

A loudspeaker producing sound of frequency 550 Hz is held near the open end of the tube.
The piston is moved along the tube and a loud sound is heard when the distance L between the
piston and the open end of the tube is 45 cm.
The speed of sound in the tube is 330 m s–1.
 9

(i) Show that the wavelength of the sound in the tube is 60 cm.

[1]

(ii) On Fig. 4.1, mark all the positions along the tube of
1. the displacement nodes (label these with the letter N),
2. the displacement antinodes (label these with the letter A).
[3]

(c) The frequency of the sound produced by the loudspeaker in (b) is gradually reduced.
Determine the lowest frequency at which a loud sound will be produced in the tube of length L
= 45 cm.

frequency = .......................................... Hz [3]

7 A uniform string is held between a fixed point P and a variable-frequency oscillator, as shown in Fig.
5.1.

L
1
8L

X
P
Y
oscillator
1
8L

Fig. 5.1
 10

The distance between point P and the oscillator is L.

The frequency of the oscillator is adjusted so that the stationary wave shown in Fig. 5.1 is formed.
Points X and Y are two points on the string.
Point X is a distance L from the end of the string attached to the oscillator. It vibrates with frequency
f and amplitude A.
Point Y is a distance L from the end P of the string.
(a) For the vibrations of point Y, state
(i) the frequency (in terms of f ),

frequency = ................................................ [1]

(ii) the amplitude (in terms of A).

amplitude = ................................................ [1]

(b) State the phase difference between the vibrations of point X and point Y.

phase difference = ................................................ [1]

(c) (i) State, in terms of f and L, the speed of the wave on the string.

speed = ................................................ [1]

(ii) The wave on the string is a stationary wave.
Explain, by reference to the formation of a stationary wave, what is meant by the speed
stated in (i).

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................ [3]

8 (a) State one difference and one similarity between longitudinal and transverse waves.

difference: .................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

similarity: ...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[2]
 11

(b) A laser is placed in front of two slits as shown in Fig. 6.1.

slits

laser 0.35 mm

2.5 m screen
Fig. 6.1 (not to scale)

The laser emits light of wavelength 6.3 × 10–7 m.

The distance from the slits to the screen is 2.5 m. The separation of the slits is 0.35 mm. An
interference pattern of maxima and minima is observed on the screen.

(i) Explain why an interference pattern is observed on the screen.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................[2]

(ii) Calculate the distance between adjacent maxima.

distance = .......................................................m [2]

(c) State and explain the effect, if any, on the distance between adjacent maxima when the laser
is replaced by another laser emitting ultra-violet radiation.

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[1]
 12

9 A laser is placed in front of a double slit, as shown in Fig. 7.1.

The laser emits light of frequency 670 THz. Interference fringes are observed on the screen.

(a) Explain how the interference fringes are formed.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [3]

(b) Show that the wavelength of the light is 450 nm.

[2]
 13

(c) The separation of the maxima P and Q observed on the screen is 12 mm. The distance between
the double slit and the screen is 2.8 m.

Calculate the separation of the two slits.

separation = ..................................................... m [3]

(d) The laser is replaced by a laser emitting red light. State and explain the effect on the
interference fringes seen on the screen.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [2]

10 (a) State three conditions required for maxima to be formed in an interference pattern produced
by two sources of microwaves.

1. ......................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

2. ......................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

3. ......................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................
[3]

(b) A microwave source M emits microwaves of frequency 12 GHz. Show that the wavelength
of the microwaves is 0.025 m.

[3]
 14

(c) Two slits S1 and S2 are placed in front of the microwave source M described in (b), as shown
in Fig 5.1.
P

S1

O
M
microwave
detector
S2

Fig. 5.1 (not to scale)

The distances S1O and S2O are equal. A microwave detector is moved from O to P. The
distance S1P is 0.75 m and the distance S2P is 0.90 m.

The microwave detector gives a maximum reading at O.

State the variation in the readings on the microwave detector as it is moved slowly along the
line from O to P.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [3]

(d) The microwave source M is replaced by a source of coherent light.

State two changes that must be made to the slits in Fig. 5.1 in order to observe an interference
pattern.

1. ......................................................................................................................................

2. ......................................................................................................................................
[2]
 15

11 (a) Describe the diffraction of monochromatic light as it passes through a diffraction grating.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) White light is incident on a diffraction grating, as shown in Fig. 4.1.

The diffraction pattern formed on the screen has white light, called zero order, and coloured
spectra in other orders.

(i)Describe how the principle of superposition is used to explain

1. white light at the zero order,

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................. [2]

2. the difference in position of red and blue light in the first-order spectrum.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................. [2]
 16

(ii) Light of wavelength 625 nm produces a second-order maximum at an angle of 61.0° to

the incident direction.
Determine the number of lines per metre of the diffraction grating.

number of lines = ......................................... m–1 [2]

(iii) Calculate the wavelength of another part of the visible spectrum that gives a maximum
for a different order at the same angle as in (ii).

wavelength = ……………………..…….. nm [2]

12 (a) State what is meant by the diffraction of a wave.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) Plane wavefronts are incident on a slit, as shown in Fig. 5.1.

slit

Fig. 5.1
 17

Complete Fig. 5.1 to show four wavefronts that have emerged from the slit. [2]

(c) Monochromatic light is incident normally on a diffraction grating having 650 lines per millimetre,
as shown in Fig. 5.2.

third order

second order

first order

Monochromatic light
zero order

first order
grating
second order

third order

Fig. 5.2

An image (the zero order) is observed for light that has an angle of diffraction equal to zero.

For incident light of wavelength 590 nm, determine the number of orders of diffracted light that
can be observed on each side of the zero order.

number = ................................................ [3]

(d) The images in Fig. 5.2 are viewed, starting with the zero order and then with increasing order
number.
State how the appearance of the images changes as the order number increases.

..........................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................... [1]
 18

13 (a) State what is meant by the diffraction of a wave.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................[2]

(b) A laser produces a narrow beam of coherent light of wavelength 632 nm. The beam is incident
normally on a diffraction grating, as shown in Fig. 4.1.

diffraction
grating X

laser light
P 76 cm
wavelength 632 nm

165 cm screen

Fig. 4.1

Spots of light are observed on a screen placed parallel to the grating. The distance between the
grating and the screen is 165 cm.
The brightest spot is P. The spots formed closest to P and on each side of P are X and Y.
X and Y are separated by a distance of 76 cm.
Calculate the number of lines per metre on the grating.

number per metre = ................................................. [4]

 19

(c) The grating in (b) is now rotated about an axis parallel to the incident laser beam, as shown in
Fig. 4.2.

diffraction
diffraction grating grating

laserlaser
lightlight

before rotation after rotation

Fig. 4.2

State what effect, if any, this rotation will have on the positions of the spots P, X and Y.

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................[2]

(d) In another experiment using the apparatus in (b), a student notices that the distances XP and
PY, as shown in Fig. 4.1, are not equal. Suggest a reason for this difference.

..........................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................[1]