OCR (A) specifications: 5.3.

2a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j

Chapter 19
Waves
Worksheet
Worked examples
Practical 1: Polarisation of light
Practical 2: Speed of sound
End-of-chapter test
Marking scheme: Worksheet
Marking scheme: End-of-chapter test

Worksheet
speed of light in free space (vacuum) c = 3.0 108 m s1
speed of sound in air = 340 m s1

Intermediate level
1

For a progressive wave, define the following terms:

a

amplitude;

[1]

wavelength;

[1]

frequency.

[1]

Calculate the frequency of the following waves:

a

red light of wavelength 6.5 107 m emitted from a light-emitting diode;

[2]

ultrasound of wavelength 7.0 mm emitted by a bat.

[2]

In a water tank, a dipper oscillating at a frequency of 30 Hz produces surface water

waves of wavelength 2.5 cm.
a

Calculate the speed of the water waves.

[2]

Determine the wavelength of the waves when the frequency of the dipper
is doubled.

[2]

Explain what is meant by plane polarised light.

[1]

Name the type of waves that can be polarised.

[1]

Higher level
5

Displacement against time graphs for two waves A and B of the same frequency
are shown below.
Displacement
A
B
+
0
1

10

Time (ms)

172

Determine the period and the frequency of the waves.

[2]

What is the phase difference between waves A and B (in degrees)?

[2]

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19 Waves

The diagram shows water waves travelling from

deeper to shallower water.
a

The wavefronts change direction when entering

the shallower water. What do we call the change
in direction of a wave at a boundary?
[1]

Describe what happens to the water waves

in shallower water in terms of wave speed,
frequency and wavelength.

[3]

deep
shallow

An oscilloscope has its time base and Y sensitivity (Y gain) set on 0.5mscm1 and
0.5 Vcm1 respectively. A person whistles into a microphone connected to the
oscilloscope. The trace displayed on the oscilloscope screen is shown below.
a
b
c

Determine the frequency of the sound

wave.

[2]

Calculate the wavelength of the sound

produced by the whistle.

[2]

Describe how the oscilloscope trace would

change for a louder whistle of half the
frequency of a.
[2]
0.5 V

0.5 ms

Extension
In OCR Module 3, you do not have to learn how the intensity of light varies with
distance from a source. However, in the Synoptic Paper you can be given information
that you have to analyse. Regard this question as preparation for such a paper.

The intensity of a wave is the power transmitted per unit area perpendicular to the
wave. Intensity is measured in watts per square metre, W m2.
a

For a point source of light, explain why the intensity I at a distance r away from
the source obeys an inverse square law with distance. That is:
I

1
r2

[2]

The intensity of the solar radiation reaching the upper parts of our atmosphere
is about 1.4 kW m2. The Sun is 1.5 1011 m from the Earth.
i

Calculate the intensity of solar radiation at the planet Neptune, which is

4.5 1012 m from the Sun.
[2]

ii

Estimate the number of photons of visible light from the Sun arriving
per square metre at Neptune each second.

[3]

(Average wavelength of visible light = 550 nm; Planck constant h = 6.63 10

34

J s.)

Total: Score: %
34

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Worked examples
Example 1
Visible light has wavelength in the range 400 nm to 700 nm. Calculate the maximum
frequency of visible light.
The speed of light is constant. Since v = f and v is a constant, we have:
f

The frequency is a maximum for the shortest wavelength of visible light.

f=

v 3.0 108
=
= 7.5 1014 Hz
400 109

1 nm = 109 m

Tip
v
to each given wavelength and from the two answers quote the

greater frequency. However, there is a great deal of physics in remembering that

the frequency is inversely proportional to the wavelength.
You can apply f =

Example 2
The diagram shows an oscilloscope trace when the time base is set at 5.0 ms cm1 and
the Y sensitivity is set at 2.0 V cm1. Determine the frequency and amplitude of the
signal displayed on the oscilloscope.

Frequency
The horizontal distance between
two neighbouring peaks = 4.0 cm.
distance
time base
period = between
peaks setting
T = 4.0 cm 5.0 ms cm1 = 20 ms
The frequency f of the signal is
related to the period T by:
f=

2.0 V

1
T

5.0 ms

Hence:
1
f=
= 50 Hz
20 103

It is very important to convert the

time into seconds. If the period is left
in milliseconds, then the frequency
will be in kilohertz (kHz).

Amplitude
amplitude = distance from zero to maximum height Y sensitivity
amplitude = 3.0 cm 2.0 V cm1 = 6.0 V

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19 Waves

Practical 1
Polarisation of light
Safety
There are not likely to be any major hazards in carrying out this experiment. However,
teachers and technicians should always refer to the departmental risk assessment before
carrying out any practical work.

Apparatus
two polarising filters (Polaroid)
table lamp or ray box
water with a few drops of milk
in a plastic container

glass block
LCD display of a calculator
small strip of plastic
protractor

Introduction
You will carry out a series of experiments on polarisation of light. At the end of the
experiments you will appreciate that light can be polarised either by reflection off shiny
surfaces or when it is transmitted through a polarising filter.

Procedure
Details of polarisation of light using polarising filters is given on pages 163 and 164 of
Physics 1. The diagram below shows two further arrangements that may be used to show
the polarisation of light.
light source

polarising filter

light source

polarising filter

glass block
cloudy water in a container

Look through one polarising filter at the light from the table lamp. Rotate the filter.
Does this have any effect on the intensity of the light? Is the light from the lamp
plane polarised or unpolarised?

Now look at the light from the table lamp using two polarising filters (see figure
19.10 on page 164 of Physics 1). Hold one filter still and rotate the other filter.
Measure the angle of rotation of this filter such that the intensity of light changes
from a maximum to a minimum. This angle should be 90. What can you say about
the transmitted light from the first filter?

Use one filter to look at the reflected light from the glass block. Try different angles
of reflection and rotate the filter. Is the reflected light from the glass block polarised?

Use one filter to look at the scattered light from the cloudy water at different
angles. Is there anything special for the light reflected through 90?

Finally, use a polarising filter to look at the transmitted light through a stressed
length of plastic strip and the light from an LCD display of a calculator. What do
you observe?

Guidance for teachers

Candidates do not have to know about polarisation of scattered or reflected light, but
the experiments are quick and highlight the practical applications of polarising filters.
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Practical 2
Speed of sound
Safety
There are not likely to be any major hazards in carrying out this experiment. However,
teachers and technicians should always refer to the departmental risk assessment before
carrying out any practical work.

Apparatus
dual-beam oscilloscope
loudspeaker
signal generator

two microphones
metre rule

Introduction
An important item in this experiment is the dual-beam oscilloscope, which is used to
determine the time taken by sound to travel a certain distance. This information is used
to calculate the speed of sound in air.

Procedure
The experiment is described in detail on page 170 of Physics 1. The diagram below shows
the arrangement.
signal generator
A
sound
Y1

Y2
1 kHz

oscilloscope

d
loudspeaker

1
2

Set the signal generator to 1.0 kHz.

Place the microphones A and B at the same distance (about 30 cm) from the
loudspeaker.

Move microphone B a distance d further away

from the loudspeaker. One of the oscilloscope
traces is shifted by a time t. Use the time base
setting to determine the time t.

4
5
6

Obtain a range of values for d and t.

7
8

trace from A

trace from B

Record your results in a table.

Plot a graph of distance d against time t. Draw a
straight line of best fit.
Determine the gradient of the line. This is equal
to the speed of sound in air.

t
time

What is the uncertainty in your value for the speed of sound in air? How does your
value compare with the standard value of 340 m s1.

Guidance for teachers

As an extension exercise, students can investigate whether the frequency of the sound
has any effect on its speed in air.

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19 Waves

End-of-chapter test
Answer all questions.
speed of sound in air = 340 m s1

1
2

Explain what is meant by a transverse wave.

The flapping wings of a bee create a buzzing noise of frequency 250 Hz.
a
b

[1]

Determine the number of times the wings of the bee flap in an interval of
one minute.

[2]

Calculate the wavelength of sound due to this buzzing noise.

[2]

The diagram shows the displacement

against time graph for a wave on a rope.

Displacement
A

State the phase difference between points:

a

A and B;

[1]

A and D;

[1]

C and D.

[1]

+
B

Time

A person is listening to a radio station on a portable radio. The reception is excellent

when the aerial of the radio is vertical but virtually no signal is registered when the
aerial is turned through an angle of 90. Explain this observation.
[2]

A microphone is attached to the end of a metal rod. The microphone is connected to

an oscilloscope. When the metal rod is hit with a hammer, a sound wave travels along
the length of the metal rod. The output from the microphone is shown below.

time base = 0.1 ms cm1

Y sensitivity = 0.2 V cm1

The sound within the rod has a wavelength of 2.5 m. The time base and Y sensitivity
(Y gain) settings for the oscilloscope are shown next to the trace.
Calculate:
a

the frequency of the sound in the rod;

[2]

the speed of the sound in the metal.

[2]
Total: Score:
14

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177

Marking scheme
Worksheet
1

Amplitude = maximum displacement from equilibrium position. [1]

Wavelength = separation between two adjacent peaks (or troughs). [1]

Frequency = number of oscillations per unit time. [1]

v 3.0 108
v = f ; f = =
[1]
6.5 107
f 4.6 1014 Hz [1]

v = f ; f =

v
340 [1]
=
0.007

f 4.9 104 Hz [1]

v = f ; v = 30 0.025 [1]

v = 0.75 m s1 [1]
b

The speed of the wave is constant, therefore

1
. [1]
f

The wavelength is halved because the frequency is doubled, so is 1.25 cm. [1]

Plane polarised light has vibrations in just one plane. [1]

Unlike longitudinal waves, all transverse waves (light, etc.) can be polarised. [1]

f=

1
; T = 4.0 ms [1]
T

f=

1
= 250 Hz [1]
4.0 103

The adjacent peaks have a time difference of T/4; [1]

therefore the phase difference is 90. [1]

Refraction [1]

In shallow water:

speed of the wave decreases; [1]

the frequency remains the same; [1]
the wavelength decreases (since v = f and f = constant, v). [1]

T = 0.5 ms cm1 3.0 cm = 1.5 ms [1]

f=
b

1
1
=
670 Hz [1]
T 1.5 103

The speed of sound is given by v = f . Hence:

v 340
= =
[1]
f 670

= 0.51 m (51 cm) [1]

c

The amplitude of the signal would increase. [1]

The peaks would be twice as far apart because the period increases to 3.0 ms.
[1]

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19 Waves

The power spreads out uniformly over the surface of a sphere of radius r. [1]
The power per unit area = intensity =

P
, where P is the total power. [1]
4r 2

Since P is a constant, the intensity I obeys an inverse square law with distance.
b

Since I

1
, we have Ir 2 = constant.
r2

Therefore 1.4 103 (1.5 1011)2 = INeptune (4.5 1012)2 [1]

INeptune 1.56 W m2 [1]
ii

Energy of photon, E =

hc 6.63 1034 3.0 108

=

550 109

E = 3.62 1019 J [1]

Number of photons per m2 =

1.56
[1]
3.62 1019

= 4.3 1018 m2 1018 m2 [1]

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179

Marking scheme
End-of-chapter test
1
2

The vibrations are at 90 to the direction of travel of the wave. [1]

a

The wings flap 250 times every second. [1]

Therefore, in one minute (60 s) there are 250 60 = 15 000 flaps. [1]

3
4

v 340
v = f ; = =
[1];
f 250

90 [1]; b 360 (or 0) [1];

= 1.36 m 1.4 m [1]

c 180 [1]

The radio waves are plane polarised in the vertical plane. [1]
The vibrations have no horizontal component. This explains why a weak signal is
registered when the aerial is rotated through 90. [1]

Period = 0.1 ms cm1 5.0 cm = 0.5 ms [1]

f=
b

180

1
1
=
= 2.0 103 Hz [1]
T 5.0 104

v = f [1];

v = 2000 2.5 = 5000 m s1 [1]

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19 Waves