10

Wave Motion

Objective Questions
3 radians. The distance between them
1. Two points on a progressive wave differ in phase by
8
is 0.36 m. What is the wavelength?
A 0.12 m
B 0.48 m
C 0.96 m
D 1.92 m
2. Which of the following statements about stationary waves is true?
A The particles between adjacent nodes are in phase.
B The particles between a node and an antinode have the same amplitude.
C The distance between adjacent nodes equals the wavelength.
D Particles at the antinodes are not displaced at all.
3. Two progressive waves are represented by the equations
y1 = 3.0 sin (20t + 2x) and y2 = 2.0 sin (10t + 5x)
Which of the following is the ratio of the intensity of y1 to that of y2?
A 0.40
B 1.50
C 2.25
D 4.00
4. Maximum constructive superposition between two waves of the same amplitude occurs at a
point P. The intensity at P is I. Which of the following is the intensity at P due to one of the
waves?
1
A I
2
1
B I
4
1I
C
2
D 2I
5. The figure shows a longitudinal wave travelling along a slinky spring in the direction shown.
Coils X and Y are on either sides of a rarefaction.
Direction of
wave motion

Rarefaction

Which of the following correctly shows the directions of the instantaneous displacements of
coils X and Y?
A X
C X
Y
Y

QB AA STPM Phys V1 C10 4th.indd 1

3/7/2008 5:00:51 PM

Structured Question
1. The figure shows a progressive wave in a rope travelling with a speed of 1.20 m s1. The
wave frequency is 5.0 Hz. At the instant shown, the point X is at a crest. The phase difference
radians. The point Z is at the equilibrium position.
between the points X and Y is
3
1.20 m s1

X
0.24 m

Y
Z

Calculate
(a) the wavelength
(b) the phase difference between the points X and Z
(c) the instantaneous transverse speeds of the points X and Z.

Essay Question
1. (a) State four differences between standing waves and progressive waves.
(b) The displacementdistance graph of a progressive wave of frequency 50 Hz moving in
the positive Ox-direction is as shown.
Displacement, y (cm)
2.0
0

25.0

x (cm)

2.0

(i) Deduce the equation for the wave.

(ii) Write the equation for an identical progressive wave that moves in the negative
Ox-direction.
(iii) Superposition between the waves in (b)(i) and (b)(ii) occurs. Draw a diagram to show
the resultant wave. Your diagram should include suitable values.

QB AA STPM Phys V1 C10 4th.indd 2

3/7/2008 5:00:53 PM