Term 1 Focused Informal Practice Questions

(Term 1 Focused IPQs)

PHYSICS |PHY70
Grade 12 |General

KPI 1.1.1 Define coherent and incoherent light.

KPI 1.1.2 Differentiate between coherent and incoherent light, giving examples.

Coherent sources have the following characteristics:

• The waves generated have a constant phase difference.

• The waves are of a single frequency.

1. Two light sources are said to be coherent if they are ______.

A. of the same frequency

√ B. of the same frequency, and maintain a constant phase difference

C. of the same amplitude, and maintain a constant phase difference

D. of the same frequency and amplitude

KPI 1.1.4 Explain how light can interfere either constructively or destructively to produce
interference patterns with bright and dark fringes.

Interference of light waves can be either constructive interference or destructive

interference.

5. When light waves interfere constructively, what happens to the amplitude of the resulting
light?

A. It decreases
√ B. It increases
C. It remains unchanged
D. It becomes zero

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6. Destructive interference happens when a _______ of a wave meets a _______ of another wave at a
point in space.

A. crest crest
√ B. crest trough
C. trough trough
D. maxima maxima

KPI 1.1.13 Explain that constructive interference occurs at locations xm on either side of
the central bright band such that:

𝒙𝒎 𝒅
𝒎𝝀 =
𝑳

where m = 1, 2,.....

22. The figure shows the interference pattern obtained in a double-slit experiment using light of
wavelength 600 nm.

Which fringe is the third order maximum?

A. A and C
B. B
C. D
√ D. E

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 𝒙𝒅
KPI 1.1.12 Apply the relation 𝝀 = 𝑳 to calculate the wavelength or to find an unknown
distance, for a double-slit experiment.

KPI 1.1.14 Explain what happens to the fringe pattern when different parameters in the
experiment are varied.

The changes that occur to the fringe pattern depends on the relationship below:

𝝀𝑳
𝒙∝
𝒅

• If the wavelength (color) of the light changes, the fringe spacing also change if other
parameters are kept constant. Example, if red color light is changed to a blue light,
the wavelength decreases and so the fringe spacing also decreases.
• If only the distance between the slits and the screen (L) increases, the fringe
spacing also increases, and vice versa.
• If the slit separation (d) decreases, the fringe spacing increases, and vice versa.
• Increasing the slit width will not change the fringe spacing. It only increases the
amount of light entering the slits and thus make the fringes brighter.

KPI 1.1.19 Solve problems on interference of light.

5. What happens to the spacing between fringes in a two-slit interference pattern if the following
changes are made keeping other variables constant in each case.

a. Slit separation is increased.

𝝀𝑳
𝐱= 𝒎
𝒅
If the slit separation (𝒅) increases, the fringe spacing decreases. Thus we get narrower
fringes.

b. Color light is switched from red to blue.

Switching the light from red to blue means the wavelength (𝝀) of the light has
decreased. Again from the equation, a decrease in wavelength causes the fringe
spacing to decrease so the fringes are closer to each other.

c. The monochromatic light is replaced by while light.

Colored fringes are formed at the screen if monochromatic light is replaced by the
white light.

d. The width of the two slits is increased.

Intensity of light emitted by the slits increases as the width of the slit is increased.
Thus, more brighter fringes are formed at the screen on increasing the width of the
slits.

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6. Violet light falls on two slits separated by 1.90 × 10−5 𝑚. A first-order bright band appears
13.2 mm from the central bright band on a screen 0.600 m from the slits. What is the wavelength
of the light?

𝑥𝑑 (13.2 × 10−3 𝑚)(1.90 × 10−5 𝑚)

𝜆= = = 418 𝑛𝑚
𝐿 0.600 𝑚

KPI 1.2.1 Define diffraction and draw diagrams to explain the spreading of light waves
when passing through small gaps or the edge of a barrier.

2. Which diagram best represents the shape and direction of a series of waves after they have
passed through a small opening in a barrier?

3. The process by which a beam of light is spread out as a result of passing through a narrow
opening is called ______.

A. Refraction
√ B. Diffraction
C. Polarization
D. Interference

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KPI 1.2.4 Explain the diffraction pattern that is created when light (green, red, white,...)
passes through a single slit.

KPI 1.2.8 Compare the bright and dark bands from Young's Double Slit investigation with
the diffraction pattern from Single Slit Diffraction regarding the band spacing, light
sources, width of bands, and intensity of created bands.

4. What type of pattern is produced by single-slit diffraction of coherent light?

a series of bands nearly equally

A.
spaced apart
a wide central band with narrower
√ B.
bands on either side
a narrow central band with wider
C.
bands on either side
D. a mixture of patterns

8. In the table below, list all the characteristics of double slit interference pattern, single slit
diffraction and the diffraction grating pattern.

Double Slit Interference Single Slit Diffraction Diffraction Grating

(Fraunhofer’s diffraction)

Pattern: Pattern: Pattern:

• Equally spaced bright and • A wide, bright center • Bright bands are extremely
dark fringes. band forms with narrow and equally spaced,
narrower, dimmer bands with greater intensities.
• the pattern is a central to the side.
bright band and lighter • Dark bands are wider than
side bands of the color of • The width is double that those produced in the
monochromatic light that of the other maxima. double slit.
is used, separated by
dark bands.

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 • The bright bands are • Cannot use small angle
equally spaced. approximation which is
used in double slits
• If white light is used, the
central band is white, and
the side bands show
spectra.

• Bright fringes are wider

and less intense than
those formed in a grating.

𝟐𝝀𝑳
KPI 1.2.6 Apply the equation 𝟐𝒙𝟏 = to solve relevant problems on single-slit
𝒘
diffraction.

5. Light at 410 nm shines through a slit and falls on a flat screen as shown in the figure below.
The width of the slit is 3.8 × 10−6 𝑚. What is the width of the central bright band?

The width of the central maximum is:

2𝜆𝐿
2𝑥 =
𝑤
2(410 × 10−9 𝑚)(0.29 𝑚)
2𝑥 = = 0.063 𝑚
3.8 × 10−6 𝑚

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KPI 1.2.10 Discuss the production and use of diffraction grating.

• A diffraction grating is a device that is made up of many small slits that diffract light
and form a pattern that is similar to the double-slit interference pattern, but with
much narrower and brighter bands.
• A transmission grating can be made by scratching very fine lines with a diamond
point on glass that transmits light. The spaces between the scratched lines act like
slits.
• The slit spacing d for a diffraction grating of n lines/cm,

𝟏
𝒅= 𝒄𝒎
𝒏

14. A diffraction grating has 6000 lines per cm. What is the distance between two lines?

√ A. 1.7 × 10−4 𝑐𝑚
B. 6.0 × 10−4 𝑐𝑚
C. 1.7 × 103 𝑐𝑚
D. 6.0 × 103 𝑐𝑚

KPI 1.2.16 Explain that constructive interference from a diffraction grating occurs at
angles on either side of the central bright line given by the equation:
𝒎𝝀 = 𝒅𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽, 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒎 = 𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑 ….

7. Monochromatic light from a laser, of wavelength 500 𝑛𝑚 is incident normally on a diffraction

grating with a slit spacing of 2 × 10−3 𝑚𝑚.

a. Find the angles at which one would observe the second- order maximum.

𝑚𝜆
𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝜆 ⟹ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 =
𝑑
(2)(500 × 10−9 𝑚)
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = = 0.5
2 × 10−6 𝑚
𝜃 = 30°

b. If the spacing between lines on a grating is increased, does the angle to the first-order
principal maximum increase, decrease, or stay the same? Explain.

The angle 𝜽 to the first-order principal maxima is determined by 𝒅𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 = 𝒎𝝀. For a
given 𝝀, if the spacing 𝒅 between lines on a grating is increased, the angle 𝜽 to the first-
order principal maximum will decrease.

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KPI 2.1.4 State and demonstrate that unlike charges attract and like charges repel.

• Charged particles exert forces, both attractive and repulsive.

1. Three rods are brought close to each other, two at a time. When rods A and B are brought
together, they repel. When rods B and C are brought together, they repel. Which of the following
are true?

A. A and B have same signs, C is neutral

B. A and B have opposite signs, C is neutral

C. A and B have same signs, C is opposite in sign

√ D. A, B and C have the same sign

KPI 2.1.7 Distinguish between electrical conductors and insulators giving typical
examples.

• Metals are good conductors of charges as electrons can be moved easily through
them.
• Some non-metals like plasma and graphite are also good conductors. Plasma
consists of negative electrons and positive ions.
• Air is an insulator but can conduct under certain conditions.

3. In the table below, differentiate between conductors and insulators, and give 2 examples for
each.

Conductor Insulator
Definition Conductors are materials that Insulators prevent the charge from
allow charges to flow through flowing through it.
them freely.
Examples Copper, Graphite, Plasma Glass, plastic, wood, air

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KPI 2.2.5 Explain the process of charging two neutral spheres with a charged rod by
induction.

7. The figure below shows a negatively charged rod held close to, but not touching, a pair of
conducting spheres 1 & 2, which are in contact with each other. While the rod is still held in
place, sphere 2 is moved away from sphere 1. Which of the following statements is true about the
charges on the two spheres?

Sphere 1 Sphere 2
A. Positive Positive
√ B. Positive Negative
C. Negative Negative
D. Negative Positive

KPI 2.2.7 Explain what happens when a positively or negatively charged rod is brought
close to a charged electroscope.

• If a charged rod brought close to the electroscope has a similar charge as the
electroscope, then the leaves spread apart farther.
• If a charged rod brought close to the electroscope has an opposite charge to the
electroscope, then the leaves fall closer together.

3. The diagram below shows a positively charged electroscope. Explain what happens to the
leaves of the electroscope when rods with the following charges are brought close to, but not
touching, the electroscope.

a. Positive
Electrons from the leaves move up to the top, leaving the leaves
more positive and so the leaves will move further apart.

b. Negative
Electrons from the top get repelled down, making the leaves
less positive and so the leaves fall.

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KPI 2.2.10 State the magnitude of the elementary charge in coulombs (C) and that the
charges are quantized.

• One coulomb (C) is 𝟔. 𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟖 electrons or protons.

• The elementary (e) charge is the magnitude of the charge of a single electron or
proton.

𝒆 = 𝟏. 𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟗

• Since charge is quantized as the integral multiple of the elementary charge, the
total charge can be calculated:

𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝑸 = 𝒏𝒆

16. Which of the following is not a possible value for the net charge of a charged object?

A. −8.0 × 10−19 𝐶
B. 3.2 × 10−19 𝐶
C. −4.8 × 10−19 𝐶
√ D. −8.8 × 10−19 𝐶

KPI 2.2.12 Use vector addition to calculate the net force on a charge due to other point
charges.

• Both magnitude and direction of the net force due to linear charge distribution or
charges at an angle can be found using vector addition.

22. What is the direction of the net force exerted by charges A and B on charge C?

√ A. →

B. ←

C. ↓

D. ↑
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KPI 2.2.11 State and apply Coulomb's law to charges separated by a finite distance.

• Force between the charges is directly proportional to the product of the two
charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the
charges.

𝒒𝑨 𝒒𝑩
𝑭∝
𝒓𝟐
𝒒𝑨 𝒒𝑩
𝑭=𝒌
𝒓𝟐

• The electrostatic force between two charges is equal and opposite.

𝑭𝑨 𝒐𝒏 𝑩 = −𝑭𝑩 𝒐𝒏 𝑨

KPI 2.2.14 Solve problems involving the electrostatic forces acting on charged particles by
making use of Coulomb's law.

18. What is the magnitude of the electrostatic force between the two charged spheres shown
below?

√ A. 5.6 × 10−2 𝑁
B. 2.2 × 102 𝑁
C. 2.2 × 104 𝑁
D. 5.6 × 102 𝑁

KPI 2.3.4 Identify the direction of an electric field as the direction of the force on a positive
test charge placed in the field.

2. An electric field is about 150 N/C downward. What is the direction of the force on a positively-
charged particle?

A. Upward
√ B. Downward
C. Changes rapidly
D. No force

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KPI 2.3.5 Define electric field strength as the electric force exerted per unit charge and
measured in N/C.

• Electric field can be detected by the force it exerts on a charged object or a test
charge.
• The strength of an electric field is equal to the force on a positive test charge
divided by the strength of the test charge.

⃗𝑭
⃗𝑬
⃗ = measured in N/C
𝒒

KPI 2.3.6 Apply the relationship between electric field strength, electric force and charge
to solve numerical problems.

4. A positive test charge of 6.0 × 10−6 𝐶 is placed in an electric field of 50.0 𝑁/𝐶 intensity, as in
figure below. What is the strength of the force exerted on the test charge?

𝐹
𝐸=
𝑞
𝐹 = 𝑞𝐸 = (6.0 × 10−6 𝐶)(50 𝑁/𝐶) = 3.0 × 10−4 𝑁

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KPI 2.3.7 Derive the electric field strength due to a point charge using Coulomb's law and
the definition of electric field strength.

• Applying Coulomb's law for a point charge:

⃗𝑭 (𝒌𝒒𝒒′ /𝒓𝟐 ) 𝒌𝒒
⃗𝑬
⃗ = = = 𝟐
𝒒 𝒒 ′ 𝒓

• The direction of the electric field is the direction of the force on a positive test
charge.

KPI 2.3.8 Calculate the electric field strength at a point close to a single point charge.

6. The figure shows a point P at 20 cm from a point charge q. What is the electric field at P?

𝑘𝑞
𝐸=
𝑟2
(9 × 109𝑁𝑚2 /𝐶 2 )(5.0 × 10−6 𝐶)
𝐸=
(0.20 𝑚)2
𝐸 = 1.1 × 106 𝑁/𝐶, away from the charge

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KPI 2.3.9 Sketch the electric field lines to model the electric fields around single point
charges (positive and negative) and for a pair of electric charges using the principle of
superposition.

Electric field lines exist in three dimensions. The strength of an electric field is indicated
by electric field lines.

• The direction of the field lines is in the direction of the force exerted on a positive
test charge.
• The field lines do not cross each other.

11. Which of the following represents the electric field lines for a single positive charge?

A.

B.

C.

√ D.

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KPI 2.3.10 Demonstrate an understanding that the spacing between the field lines
indicates the strength of the electric field in a given region.

• The number of field lines per unit area through a surface perpendicular to the lines
is proportional to the strength of the electric field in a given region.

15. The figure below shows the electric field in a region. Rank the magnitudes of the electric field
at points A, B and C in the figure below.

A. 𝐶>𝐵>𝐴
B. 𝐵=𝐴>𝐶
C. 𝐶>𝐴=𝐵
√ D. 𝐴>𝐵>𝐶

KPI 2.4.3 Describe the electrostatic potential energy lost or gained in moving a charge
between two points in a known electric field.

• The electric potential energy increases when the separation between two unlike
charges increases or the separation between two like charges decreases.

1. As a positive test charge moves farther from a positive charge in an electric field, the potential
energy __________.

A. increases
√ B. decreases
C. doubles
D. remains the same

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KPI 2.4.4 Define Electric potential difference as the ratio of the work needed to move a
charge to the magnitude of that charge.

• The work done on a charge is expressed as work done per unit charge and is called
the electric potential difference or just potential difference.
• Electric potential difference is also the electric potential energy per unit charge.
• The equation can be used in calculations:

∆𝑷𝑬 𝑾 𝑱
∆𝑽 = = = 𝑽𝑩 − 𝑽𝑨 ; 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒕 (𝑽)
𝒒 𝒒 𝑪

KPI 2.4.5 Apply the relationship between work, electric potential and charge to solve
numerical problems.

KPI 2.4.9 Relate the potential difference between two points in a uniform electric field to
the product of electric field intensity and the distance between the points parallel to the
direction of the field.
𝑾 𝑭𝒅
∆𝑽 = = = 𝑬𝒅
𝒒 𝒒

KPI 2.4.10 Calculate the electric potential difference in a uniform electric field.

7. Two charged parallel plates are 1.5 cm apart. The magnitude of the electric field between the
plates is 1800 N/C.

a. What is the electric potential difference between the plates?

∆𝑉 = 𝐸∆𝑑
∆𝑉 = (1800 𝑁/𝐶)(0.015 𝑚) = 27 𝑉

b. How much work is required to move a proton from the negative plate to the positive
plate?
𝑊
∆𝑉 =
𝑞
𝑊 = 𝑞∆𝑉 = (1.6 × 10−19 𝐶)(27 𝑉) = 4.3 × 10−18 𝐽

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KPI 2.4.14 Describe the charge distribution on a solid conducting sphere, a hollow
conducting sphere and an irregular conducting surface.

• For both a conducting sphere and a hollow sphere, the excess charge is evenly
distributed around the outer surface due to the repulsive force between the
charges, such that they have minimum potential energy.
• The electric field inside a conductor is zero.
• The surface of the conductor is equipotential.
• The electric field is always perpendicular to the surface of the conductor.
• On an irregular conducting surface, the charges are closest together at the sharp
points. The field is stronger at the sharp points and can knock off electrons from
the surrounding air, resulting in accelerated ions.

11. Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the electric fields near a conductor?

I. The field is always perpendicular to the surface of the conductor.

II. The surface of the conductor is equipotential.
III. The potential difference between any two locations on the surface of the conductor is
zero.

A. I only
B. II only
C. II and III only
√ D. I, II and III

KPI 2.4.18 Define capacitance as the ratio of the net charge on one plate of a capacitor to
the potential difference across the plates and measured in the unit Farads.

• Capacitance of a capacitor is the ratio of the charge stored by the capacitor to the
potential difference applied across it.
𝒒
𝑪= ; 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝑭𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒅 (𝑭)
∆𝑽

KPI 2.4.19 Apply the equation of parallel plate capacitor to solve numerical problems

14. A 35 μF capacitor has an electric potential difference of 50.0 V across it. What is the charge on
the capacitor?

A. 1.4 × 10−6 𝐶
√ B. 1.8 × 10−3 𝐶
C. 1.75 × 106 𝐶
D. 1.8 × 103 𝐶

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