A LevelPhysicsAQAExam QuestionsWavesStationary Waves

Stationary Waves (AQA A Level Physics): Exam Questions

Exam code: 7408

3 hours44 questions

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Stationary Waves

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1
1 mark

Which statement is correct about stationary waves?

  • All points on a stationary wave have the same amplitude

  • Stationary waves store energy

  • Stationary waves do not have nodes and antinodes

  • Stationary waves transfer energy

Choose your answer

2
1 mark

The diagram shows a stationary wave.

q2_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

Which line, A to D, in the table below gives the correct labels for points P, Q and R?

 

P

Q

R

A

antinode

node

wavelength

B

node

antinode

length of string

C

node

antinode

wavelength

D

antinode

node

frequency

    Choose your answer

    3
    1 mark

    The diagram shows a stationary wave on a length of string

    q3_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

    How many wavelengths fit on the length of string?

    • 9

    • 2.5

    • 4

    • 4.5

    Choose your answer

    4
    1 mark

    Which statement about the creation of stationary waves is correct?

    • Stationary waves are produced by the superposition of two waves of the same frequency and amplitude travelling in opposite directions

    • Stationary waves are produced by refraction at the fixed end

    • Stationary waves are produced by the superposition of two waves of different frequency and amplitude travelling in the same direction

    • When two or more waves with the same frequency arrive at a point, the resultant displacement is the difference in displacement between each wave

    Choose your answer

    5
    1 mark

    The diagram shows two waves travelling in phase.

    q5_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

    Which diagram shows the resultant wave formed?

    mc5_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

      Choose your answer

      6
      1 mark

      Stationary waves are formed when two waves travelling along the same line superpose.

      Which property do the two waves not need to share?

      • Same speed

      • Same frequency

      • Similar amplitude

      • Same direction of travel

      Choose your answer

      7
      1 mark

      Which diagram shows the second harmonic on a string?

      q7_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

        Choose your answer

        8
        1 mark

        A stationary wave forms on a string of length, L. Which harmonic has a wavelength,  λ = 2 over 3 L ?

        • First harmonic

        • Second harmonic

        • Third Harmonic

        • Fourth Harmonic

        Choose your answer

        9
        1 mark

        A stationary wave is formed on a string.

        q9_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

        Which of the following statements about the wave is correct?

        • The displacement at the nodes is at maximum

        • The displacement at the nodes is zero and at the antinodes the displacement is at maximum 

        • The displacement is maximum at both nodes and antinodes

        • The displacement at the antinodes is at minimum

        Choose your answer

        10
        1 mark

        An experiment can be conducted to measure the frequency of the first harmonic at different values of tension, length or mass per unit length.

        q10_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

        Which of the following is not a means of improving safety for this experiment?

        • Wearing goggles to protect against the wire snapping

        • Placing a soft material under the masses to break their fall

        • Standing well away from the masses unless they fall onto the floor

        • Wearing a lab coat

        Choose your answer

        1
        1 mark

        Two radio transmitters emit waves at a frequency of 2.5 MHz. A stationary wave is set up between the two transmitters due to the superposition of the radio waves.

        What is the minimum distance between two nodes in the stationary wave?

        • 240 m

        • 120 m

        • 60 m

        • 360 m

        Choose your answer

        2
        1 mark

        The frequency of the first harmonic of a standing wave on a wire is f. Another wire of the same type, but with triple the length and triple the tension, is used.

        What is the resulting frequency of the first harmonic?

        • f

        • square root of 3 f

        • fraction numerator f over denominator square root of 3 end fraction

        • 3 f

        Choose your answer

        3
        1 mark

        A loudspeaker emits a sound wave which is reflected by a metal sheet.

        The diagram shows the pattern produced due to superposition of the emitted and reflected waves:

        q13_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

        Q, R, S and T are four points on the line through the centre of these waves.

        Which of the following statements is correct?

        • A node is a quarter of a wavelength from an adjacent antinode

        • The stationary wave transfers energy along the line QT

        • An antinode is formed at the surface of the metal sheet

        • The oscillations at R are in phase with those at S

        Choose your answer

        4
        1 mark

        The diagram below shows sound wave produced in a column by a loudspeaker. The speed of sound in air is 330 m s−1.

        q14_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

        What is the frequency of the wave?

        • 1650 Hz

        • 830 Hz

        • 550 Hz

        • 413 Hz

        Choose your answer

        5
        1 mark

        Which one of the following statements about stationary waves is correct?

        • Between two nodes all parts of the wave vibrate in phase

        • There is a maximum disturbance of the medium at a node

        • The separation of the nodes for the second harmonic is double the separation of nodes for the first harmonic

        • Between two nodes the amplitude of the wave is constant

        Choose your answer

        6
        1 mark

        A student was investigating the speed of a transverse wave on a stretched spring. They found that by adjusting the tension on the spring, they were able to change the speed.

        The wave pattern produced is shown in the diagram the frequency of the oscillator was set to 650 Hz

        q16_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

        What needs to be changed to maintain the same wave pattern when the frequency is increased to 750 Hz?

        • increase the speed of the wave on the string

        • increase the wavelength of the wave on the string

        • decrease the wavelength of the wave on the string

        • decrease the speed of the wave on the string

        Choose your answer

        7
        1 mark

        Headphones that have noise reduction can cancel out external noise by producing their own waves.

        They are fitted with a microphone that detects the external sound frequency. The loudspeaker then produces a wave with the same frequency but different phase.

        What phase difference is required in order to cancel out the external sound?

        • 360˚

        • 270˚

        • 180˚

        • 90˚

        Choose your answer

        8
        1 mark

        Each of the diagrams below show three waves; each of the waves have the same amplitude and frequency but have different phases.

        The waves are added together to give a resultant wave. In which case would the resultant wave be zero?

        q18_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

          Choose your answer

          9
          1 mark

          A stationary sound wave produced in a tube has a series of nodes. The distance between the first node and the sixth node is 30 cm

          What is the wavelength of the wave?

          • 12.0 cm

          • 10.0 cm

          • 6.0 cm

          • 5.0 cm

          Choose your answer

          10
          1 mark

          The speed of a wave on a string can be calculated using the formula

          v = square root of T over mu end root

          Which line, A to D, in the table below gives the correct units for v, T and μ ?

           

          v

          T

           mu

          A

          m s–1

          m

          Hz

          B

          m s–2

          Nm

          m kg–1

          C

          m

          N

          Kg m

          D

          m s–1

          N

          kg m–1

            Choose your answer

            1
            1 mark

            Two radio transmitters are set up to emit radio waves of frequency 1.12 MHz. A stationary wave is set up between the two transmitters.

            q21_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

            What is the distance between two adjacent nodes in the stationary wave?

            • 268 m

            • 0.00187 m

            • 134 m

            • 0.00373 m

            Choose your answer

            2
            1 mark

            At the Cornell Nanofabrication Facility, a tiny guitar has been made out of a single crystal of silicon.

            q22_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

            The length of the guitar strings is 10 μm. The guitar can be played but the frequency would be inaudible.

            The first harmonic is found at 10 MHz frequency. The string has a mass per unit length of 4 × 10–12 kg m–1.

            Which of the following is the correct value for the tension in the string?

            • 1.6 × 10–7 N

            • 1.0 × 10–8 N

            • 8.0 × 10–10 N

            • 4.0 × 10–8 N

            Choose your answer

            3
            1 mark

            The frequency of the first harmonic emitted by a plucked violin E string is 659.25 Hz. When the violinist plays the note B, they shorten the length of their string with their finger. The speed of the wave on the string is 428 m s–1.

            If the new note has frequency of 987.77 Hz, by approximately what fraction has the string been shortened?

            • 1 half

            • 1 third

            • 2 over 3

            • 1 fourth

            Choose your answer

            4
            1 mark

            A first harmonic stationary wave of frequency 145 Hz is established on a string with the following set up. This is called a sonometer.

            q24_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

            How can the frequency of the first harmonic be doubled?

            • Doubling the length PQ 

            • Doubling the load M

            • Quadrupling the load M

            • Double the diameter of the wire

            Choose your answer

            5
            1 mark

            A stationary wave is set up on a wire using an oscillator.

            q25_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

            The frequency of the stationary wave is 66 Hz.

            What is the mass per unit length of the wire, μ?

            • 0.0052 kg m–1

            • 0.051 kg m–1

            • 0.059 kg m–1

            • 0.033 kg m–1

            Choose your answer

            6
            1 mark

            A uniform wire, is oscillated such that it vibrates at the second harmonic as shown.

            q26_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

            What is the phase difference between the oscillations of the particles at F and G?

            • fraction numerator 5 pi over denominator 4 end fraction space r a d i a n s

            • zero

            • pi space r a d i a n s

            • pi over 2 space r a d i a n s

            Choose your answer

            7
            1 mark

            A 1.08 mm diameter steel guitar wire, of length L = 0.69 m, has a tension T = 14.2 N.

            The density of steel is 7800 kg m–3.

            What is the fundamental frequency?

            • 32.3 Hz

            • 32.3 mHz

            • 58 GHz 

            • 46.8 Hz

            Choose your answer

            8
            1 mark

            A microwave transmitter is used to direct microwaves of frequency 12.5 GHz along a line ST. A metal plate is positioned at right angles to ST with its mid-point on the line, as shown. The metal plate reflects the microwaves, and a stationary wave is formed.

            q28_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

            The detector is moved gradually along ST, and its reading alternates between maxima and minima.

            Which one of the following statements is not correct?

            • The distance between two nodes could be 12 mm

            • The distance between a node and an antinode could be 30 mm

            • The distance between two antinodes could be 24 mm

            • The distance between a node and an antinode could be 24 mm

            Choose your answer

            9
            1 mark

            An experiment is set up to measure the frequency of the first harmonic at different values of length as shown

            q29_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

            The results of the experiment are plotted on a graph

            q29_2_stationary-waves_aqa-as-physics-mcq

            Which one of the following expressions cannot be equal to the gradient of the graph?

            • 1 half square root of T over mu end root

            • fraction numerator lambda over denominator 4 L end fraction square root of T over mu end root

            • 1 over L square root of T over mu end root

            • fraction numerator s over denominator 2 t end fraction

            Choose your answer

            10
            1 mark

            The frequency of the first harmonic of a standing wave on a wire is f. The length of the wire and tension in the wire are both halved.

            What is the frequency of the first harmonic as a result?

            • fraction numerator f over denominator 2 square root of 2 end fraction

            • f over 2

            • square root of 2 f

            • 2 f

            Choose your answer