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SAMPLE PAPER

Level 3 Physics
91523 (3.3): Demonstrate understanding of wave systems
Credits: Four

Check that you have completed ALL parts of the box at the top of this page.
Check that you have been supplied with the resource booklet for Level 3 Physics.
You should answer ALL parts of ALL questions in this booklet.
If you need more room for any answer, use the space provided at the back of this booklet.
Check that this booklet has pages 29 in the correct order and that none of these pages is blank.
YOU MUST HAND THIS BOOKLET TO YOUR TEACHER AT THE END OF THE ALLOTTED TIME.

OVERALL LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE

New Zealand Qualifications Authority, 2012

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the prior permission of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

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You are advised to spend 60 minutes answering the questions in this booklet.
QUESTION ONE: SHAKING THE STRING
Diagram 1

An oscillator shakes a
string with a steady
vertical oscillation of
5.0 Hz. A wave travels
along the rope as shown
in diagram 1 on the left.

(a)

Explain why a standing wave forms. In your answer, you should explain:
what happens to the travelling wave after it reaches the fixed end
how the standing wave builds up from the fixed end
the standing wave that forms in the string
the general conditions for a standing wave to occur in a string.

Physics 91523 (3.3)

Physics 91523 (3.3)

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(b)

The frequency of the oscillator is changed by a student to make the string oscillate at the 3rd
harmonic. Describe (with a sketch or otherwise) the shape of the wave they will see, and
calculate the frequency the student must use. You should use the information from diagram 1
for your calculation. Note: You should assume that the wave speed does not change when the
frequency is adjusted and that the length of the string remains the same.

(c)

When the 3rd harmonic is vibrating, the student increases the tension of the string so that the
wave speed becomes 1.05 times faster; the student does not change the frequency. Predict and
explain what the student will observe.

Physics 91523 (3.3)

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QUESTION TWO: SOUND WAVE INTERFERENCE

Diagram 2
A teacher demonstrates
interference of waves by
connecting two speakers to
a signal generator. The
signal generator produces
a single frequency. The
demonstration is set up
outdoors.

Students move along a line that is 3 metres from the speakers. They hear a change in volume as they
move along the line. Two microphones are used to identify the points of maximum and minimum
loudness. A microphone is placed at a maximum position, A, and at an adjacent minimum
position, B (see diagram 3).
The loudspeakers are 0.52 m apart. The microphones are placed 3.0 m from the loudspeakers and
the frequency is set to 1.30 kHz. The speed of sound is 320 m s1.
(a)

By calculating the wavelength of the sound waves (or otherwise), determine the distance
between position A and position B.
Diagram 3

Physics 91523 (3.3)

Physics 91523 (3.3)

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(b)

Discuss what the students hear as they walk at a speed of approximately 0.8 m s1 along the line
(as shown in diagram 2). In your answer, you should explain:
the cause of the loud and quiet positions
how the intensity will vary with time as they walk along the line
why the demonstration is not as effective in a typical classroom.

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QUESTION THREE: DOPPLER DUCK
Diagram 4

A teacher wants to make a video that demonstrates the Doppler effect. He uses a rubber duck to
make circular ripples on a pond of still water. The teacher moves the duck up and down. Circular
ripples spread out on the pond, as shown in the images above from two video clips. In the righthand image above, the teacher was moving the duck with a horizontal velocity in addition to its
vertical oscillation.
a) Identify the movement of the duck in each picture and explain how you can deduce the
horizontal motion of the duck from the pattern of ripples.

Physics 91523 (3.3)

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b) Careful analysis of the second video clip shows that the ripples are travelling at 0.400 m s
1, the teachers hand moves up and down 19 times over 5.00 s, and the wavelength of the
ripples behind the duck is 0.135 m.
Use the information given to calculate:
(i) The frequency at which the ripples move a small twig floating directly behind the duck
(ii) The horizontal speed of the duck.

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Extra space if required.

Clearly number the question (if applicable)
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number

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Extra space if required.
Clearly number the question (if applicable)
Question
number

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