NAME INDEX NUMBER
SCHOOL DATE
WAVES I
1. 1995 Q19 P1
In an experiment using a ripple tank the frequency, f, of the electric pulse
generator was reduced to one third of its value. How does the new wave length
compare with the initial wave length? Explain your answer. (3 marks)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………..………………………………………………
2. 1995 Q25 P1
Name the property of light that shows that it is a transverse wave
………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. 1995 Q6 P2
(a) Distinguish between stationary and progressive waves (1 mark)
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(b) (i) Describe how a young’s double slit may be made in a laboratory (2 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………..…………………………………
(ii) State the condition for a minim to occur in an interference pattern (1mark)
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(c) The sketch graph in fig 4 shows the results of an experiment to study
diffraction patterns using a double slit.
1
©Pyramid Assignments 0722614502/0733494581 All subjects, All topics available
(i) Sketch an experimental set up that can be used to obtain such a pattern
(4 marks)
(ii) Name an instrument for measuring the intensity (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………
(iii) Explain how the peaks labelled A and B, and troughs labelled
C are formed (6 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………
4. 1996 Q5a, c P2
(a) (i) What is the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves?
(1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) State two distinctions between the way sound waves and electromagnetic
waves are transmitted (2 marks)
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
2
©Pyramid Assignments 0722614502/0733494581 All subjects, All topics available
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(b) In an experiment to observe interference of light waves a double slit is placed close to
the source. See figure 3
(i) State the function of the double slit (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………...............
(ii) Describe what is observed on the screen (2marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………..……………………………………………………
(iii) State what is observed on the screen when
i). The slit separation S1S2 is reduced (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..
ii). White light source is used in place of monochromatic source (1 mark)
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………..
5. 1999 Q18 P1
Two tuning forks of frequencies 256Hz and 258 Hz are sounded simultaneously
and then placed close to each other, calculate the beat frequency.
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
3
©Pyramid Assignments 0722614502/0733494581 All subjects, All topics available
……………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
6. 1999 Q1a P2
a) Distinguish between longitudinal and transverse waves
Longitudinal waves -
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………..…………………………………
Transverse waves –
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
7. 2000 Q17 P1
Give one example of a longitudinal wave.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
8. 2002 Q23 P1
Fig. 12 shows water waves incident on an aperture AB.
On the same diagram, sketch the waves after going through the aperture.
9. 2003 Q4 P2
a) Figure 3 shows a transverse wave travelling along x-axis.
Fig 3
4
©Pyramid Assignments 0722614502/0733494581 All subjects, All topics available
(i) Determine the:
I Wavelength of the wave
…………………………………………………………………………………
II Amplitude of the wave.
…………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) If the time taken by the wave to move from 0 to A is 0.09 seconds, determine
the:
I Frequency of the wave.
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………
…
II Speed of the wave
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………
…
b) Figure 4 shows a Geiger muller (GM) tube
(i) Give the reason why the mica window is made thin.
5
©Pyramid Assignments 0722614502/0733494581 All subjects, All topics available
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) Explain how the radiation entering the tube through the window is detected by
the tube.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(iii) What is the purpose of the halogen vapour
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10. 2004 Q19 P1
State the difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11. 2006 Q5 P2
A long coil is attached to a vibrating blade as shown in figure 3
6
©Pyramid Assignments 0722614502/0733494581 All subjects, All topics available
State the type of mechanical wave generated by the set - up and mark alongside
the coil, the length corresponding to the wavelength, of the wave. (2 marks)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
12. 2008 Q7 P2
Figure 4 shows a hack-saw blade clamped horizontally on a bench and the free
end is made to vibrate about the rest position.
The movement o a 0 b 0 a 0 b takes
0.7 seconds.
Determine the frequency of vibration of the blade. (2marks)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
13. 2009 Q6 P2
Figure 2 shows how the displacement varies with time for a certain wave.
7
©Pyramid Assignments 0722614502/0733494581 All subjects, All topics available
Determine the frequency of the wave (3marks)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
14. 2010 Q7 P2
Figure 5, shows how the displacement of a point varies with time as a wave
passes it.
On the same diagram, draw a wave which passes the point with half the amplitude
and twice the frequency of the one shown.
8
©Pyramid Assignments 0722614502/0733494581 All subjects, All topics available
