Nilesh Chauhan

1.

(a)

Optical interference effects can be observed by the superposition of light waves from
coherent sources. Explain the meanings of the words in italics.
superposition ..............................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
coherent .....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

A laser, emitting light, is used to illuminate two parallel slits, giving coherent sources.
(i)

Interference takes place where light beams from the two slits overlap.
With the aid of a diagram, explain how this overlap is produced.

(ii)

State and explain what two changes you would expect in the fringe system if each
of the slits were made narrower, but their separation were kept the same.
change 1 ...........................................................................................................
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..........................................................................................................................
change 2 ...........................................................................................................
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(4)
(Total 6 marks)

2.

Red light of wavelength 7.00 10 m, incident normally on a diffraction grating, gave a first
order maximum at an angle of 75.
(a)

Calculate the spacing of the diffraction grating.

....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
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(1)

Nilesh Chauhan

(b)

Calculate the angle at which the first order maximum for violet light of wavelength
7
4.50 10 m would be observed.
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

At what angle or angles would a detector receive radiation which is of wavelength

7
7.50 10 m transmitted by the grating? Explain your answer.
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....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

3.

Explain the differences between an undamped progressive transverse wave and a stationary
transverse wave, in terms of (i) amplitude, (ii) phase and (iii) energy transfer.
(i)

amplitude
progressive wave ..............................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
stationary wave .................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

(ii)

phase
progressive wave ..............................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
stationary wave .................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

(iii)

energy transfer
progressive wave ..............................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
stationary wave .................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(Total 5 marks)

Nilesh Chauhan

4.

The diagram for this question is drawn to scale and 1 mm on the diagram represents an actual
distance of 5 mm.

Y
R
S1
Q

S2

Y '
S1 and S2 are identical coherent transmitters emitting, in phase, microwaves with a wavelength
of 25 mm. They are positioned 250mm apart on a horizontal surface and a detector can be placed
anywhere along the line YY which is in the same plane as the transmitters and parallel to the
line containing S1 and S2.
(a)

Explain what is meant by coherent.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

By making measurements on the diagram and using the scale, determine the number of
wavelengths in the path
(i)

S1R,
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

(ii)

S2R.
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Nilesh Chauhan

(iii)

Use your answers to (i) and (ii) to determine whether or not you expect the signal
received by a detector placed at R to be a maximum. Explain your answer.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(5)

(c)

Describe how you would expect the signal strength to vary as the detector is moved from
R to P via Q.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(d)

Calculate the frequency of the microwaves.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 10 marks)

5.

(a)

w h ite s c re e n

n o t to s c a le

g r a tin g
la s e r

2 .0 m

n = 5

0 .8 6 0 m

n = 4

0 .6 8 7 m

n = 3

0 .4 9 9 m

n = 2

0 .3 1 6 m

n = 1

0 .1 7 3 m
c e n tra l
m a x im u m

Nilesh Chauhan

figure 1
In a laboratory experiment, monochromatic light of wavelength 633 nm from a laser is
incident normal to a diffraction grating. The diffracted waves are received on a white
screen which is parallel to the plane of the grating and 2.0 m from it. Figure 1 shows the
positions of the diffraction maxima with distances measured from the central maximum.
By means of a graphical method, use all these measurements to determine a mean value
for the number of rulings per unit length of the grating.
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Nilesh Chauhan

(6)

Nilesh Chauhan

Nilesh Chauhan

(b)

Describe and explain the effect, if any, on the appearance of the diffraction pattern of
(i)

using a grating which has more rulings per unit length,

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

(ii)

using a laser source which has a shorter wavelength,

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

(iii)

increasing the distance between the grating and the screen.

...........................................................................................................................
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(6)

Nilesh Chauhan

(c)

Figure 2, below, shows the diffracted waves from four narrow slits of a diffraction grating
similar to the one described in part (a). The slit separation
AB = BC = CD = DE = d and EQ is a line drawn at a tangent to several wavefronts and
which makes an angle with the grating.

Q
A

B
d

figure 2
(i)

Explain why the waves advancing perpendicular to EQ will reinforce if superposed.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

Nilesh Chauhan

Show that this will happen when sin = d .

(ii)

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(3)
(Total 15 marks)

6.

The diagram shows two identical loudspeakers, A and B, placed 0.75 m apart. Each loudspeaker
emits sound of frequency 2000 Hz.

n o t to s c a le
A

0 .7 5 m

C
D

5 .0 m
Point C is on a line midway between the speakers and 5.0 m away from the line joining the
speakers. A listener at C hears a maximum intensity of sound. If the listener then moves from C
to E or D, the sound intensity heard decreases to a minimum. Further movement in the same
direction results in the repeated increase and decrease in the sound intensity.
1
speed of sound in air = 330 m s
(a)

Explain why the sound intensity

(i)

is a maximum at C,
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

(ii)

is a minimum at D or E.
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(4)

Nilesh Chauhan

(b)

Calculate
(i)

the wavelength of the sound,

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

(ii)

the distance CE.

...........................................................................................................................
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(4)
(Total 8 marks)

7.

(a)

w h ite s c re e n

n o t to s c a le

g r a tin g
la s e r

n = 5

0 .8 6 0 m

n = 4

0 .6 8 7 m

n = 3

0 .4 9 9 m

n = 2

0 .3 1 6 m

n = 1

0 .1 7 3 m
c e n tra l
m a x im u m

2 .0 m

figure 1
In a laboratory experiment, monochromatic light of wavelength 633 nm from a laser is
incident normal to a diffraction grating. The diffracted waves are received on a white
screen which is parallel to the plane of the grating and 2.0 m from it. Figure 1 shows the
positions of the diffraction maxima with distances measured from the central maximum.

Nilesh Chauhan

By means of a graphical method, use all these measurements to determine a mean value
for the number of rulings per unit length of the grating.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................

Nilesh Chauhan

(6)

Nilesh Chauhan

Nilesh Chauhan

(b)

Describe and explain the effect, if any, on the appearance of the diffraction pattern of
(i)

using a grating which has more rulings per unit length,

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

(ii)

using a laser source which has a shorter wavelength,

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

(iii)

increasing the distance between the grating and the screen.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(6)

Nilesh Chauhan

(c)

Figure 2, below, shows the diffracted waves from four narrow slits of a diffraction grating
similar to the one described in part (a). The slit separation
AB = BC = CD = DE = d and EQ is a line drawn at a tangent to several wavefronts and
which makes an angle with the grating.

Q
A

B
d

figure 2
(i)

Explain why the waves advancing perpendicular to EQ will reinforce if superposed.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

Nilesh Chauhan

(ii)

Show that this will happen when sin = d .

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
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(3)
(Total 15 marks)

8.

(a)

For a sound wave travelling through air, explain what is meant by particle displacement,
amplitude and wavelength.
Particle displacement..............................................................................................
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.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
amplitude ..............................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
wavelength...............................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(4)

Nilesh Chauhan

(b)
d is p la c e m e n t

d is p la c e m e n t

tim e

g ra p h A

d is ta n c e a lo n g
w ave

g ra p h B

Graph A shows the variation of particle displacement with time at a point on the path of a
progressive wave of constant amplitude.
Graph B shows the variation of particle displacement with distance along the same wave
at a particular instant.
(i)

Show on graph A
(1) the wave amplitude, a,
(2)

(ii)

the period, T, of the vibrations providing the wave.

Show on graph B
(1)

the wavelength of the wave, ,

(2)

two points, P and Q, which are always /2 out of phase.

(4)
(Total 8 marks)

9.

(a)

A helium-neon laser produces monochromatic light of wavelength 632.8 nm which falls

normally on a diffraction grating. A first order maximum is produced at an angle of 18.5
measured from the normal to the grating.
Calculate
(i)

the number of lines per metre on the grating,

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Nilesh Chauhan

Nilesh Chauhan

(ii)

the highest order which is observable.

..........................................................................................................................
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(6)

(b)

When the grating is used with a different monochromatic source, the first order maximum
is observed at an angle of 17.2
Calculate the wavelength of this second source.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

10.

(a)

A double slit interference experiment is set up in a laboratory using a source of yellow

7
monochromatic light of wavelength 5.86 10 m. The separation of the two vertical
parallel slits is 0.36 mm and the distance from the slits to the plane where the fringes are
observed is 1.80m.
(i)

Describe the appearance of the fringes.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

(ii)

Calculate the fringe separation, and also the angle between the middle of the central
fringe and the middle of the second bright fringe.
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...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

Nilesh Chauhan

(iii)

Explain why more fringes will be seen if each of the slits is made narrower,
assuming that no other changes are made.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(8)

(b)

Light of wavelength 5.86 10 m falls at right angles on a diffraction grating which has
400 lines per mm.
(i)

Calculate the angle between the straight through image and the first order image.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

(ii)

Determine the highest order image which can be seen with this arrangement.
...........................................................................................................................
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...........................................................................................................................
(5)

(c)

Give two reasons why the diffraction grating arrangement is more suitable for the accurate
measurement of the wavelength of light than the two-slit interference arrangement.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 15 marks)

Nilesh Chauhan

11.

Stationary waves in air can be demonstrated using a long horizontal tube which contains fine
powder. With a loudspeaker connected to a signal generator positioned at one end of the tube,
stationary waves are formed by reflection of waves from the ends of the tube. The diagram
shows part of the tube in such an arrangement. The powder forms heaps at nodes.
Speed of sound waves in air = 340 m s

0 .2 7 m
(a)

Determine
(i)

the wavelength of the waves,

...........................................................................................................................

(ii)

the frequency of vibration of the loudspeaker.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Distinguish between longitudinal waves and transverse waves and state which type of
wave is being generated in the tube.
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.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

(c)

P and Q are two points in the tube. Compare the motion of air particles at P with the
motion of air particles at Q with reference to
(i)

frequency,
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...........................................................................................................................

Nilesh Chauhan

(ii)

amplitude,
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

(iii)

phase.
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(3)
(Total 8 marks)

12.

(a)

A double slit interference experiment is set up in a laboratory using a source of yellow

monochromatic light of wavelength 5.86 107 m. The separation of the two vertical
parallel slits is 0.36 mm and the distance from the slits to the plane where the fringes are
observed is 1.80 m.
(i)

Describe the appearance of the fringes.

.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................

(ii)

Calculate the fringe separation, and also the angle between the middle of the central
fringe and the middle of the second bright fringe.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................

Nilesh Chauhan

(iii)

Explain why more fringes will be seen if each of the slits is made narrower,
assuming that no other changes are made.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................

(b)

Light of wavelength 5.86 10 Tim falls at right angles on a diffraction grating which
has 400 lines per mm.
(i)

Calculate the angle between the straight through image and the first order image.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................

(ii)

Determine the highest order image which can be seen with this arrangement.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................
(5)

(c)

Give two reasons why the diffraction grating arrangement is more suitable for the accurate
measurement of the wavelength of light than the two-slit interference arrangement.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 15 marks)

Nilesh Chauhan

13.

The graph shows the variation of displacement of the particles with distance along a stationary
transverse wave at time t = 0 when the displacement of the particles is greatest. The period of the
vibrations causing the wave is 0.040 s.
d is p la c e m e n t
/m m
20

Z
W

20

60
40

20

(a)

100
80

120

d is ta n c e /m m

Using the same axes,

(i)

draw the appearance of the wave at t = 0.010 s, labelling this graph B,

(ii)

draw the appearance of the wave at t = 0.020 s, labelling this graph C,

(iii)

show an antinode labelled A and a node labelled N.

(3)

(b)

(i)

Describe the motion of the particle at V, giving its frequency and amplitude.
.........................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................

(ii)

State the amplitude of the particle at W and its phase relations with the particle at V
and the particle at Z.
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(6)
(Total 9 marks)

Nilesh Chauhan

14.

sc re e n
n a rro w s lit

la s e r

F ig u r e 1
Red light from a laser is passed through a single narrow slit, as shown in Figure 1. A pattern of
bright and dark regions can be observed on the screen which is placed several metres beyond the
slit.
(a)

The pattern on the screen may be represented as a graph of intensity against distance
along the screen. The graph has been started in outline in Figure 2. The central bright
region is already shown. Complete this graph to represent the rest of the pattern by
drawing on Figure 2.

in te n s ity

d ista n c e a lo n g s c re e n
c e n tre o f p a tte rn
F ig u r e 2
(4)

(b)

State the effect on the pattern if each of the following changes is made separately.
(i)

The width of the narrow slit is reduced.

.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................

Nilesh Chauhan

.................................................................................................................
(ii)

With the original slit width, the intense red source is replaced with an intense source
of green light.
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.................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

15.

The diagram shows two closely spaced narrow slits illuminated by light from a single slit in
front of a monochromatic light source. A microscope is used to view the pattern of bright and
dark fringes formed by light from the two slits.

m o n o c h r o m a tic
lig h t s o u rc e

a x is

s in g le s lit
(a)

(i)

p a ir o f n a rro w s lits

Explain qualitatively why these fringes are formed.

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m ic ro s c o p e

Nilesh Chauhan

(ii)

Describe what is observed if one of the narrow slits is covered by an opaque object.
.................................................................................................................
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(8)

(b)

The microscope is replaced by a fibre-optic detector linked to a computer. The detector

consists of the flat end of many optical fibres fixed together along a line. The other end of
each optical fibre is attached to a light-sensitive diode in a circuit connected to a
computer. The signal to the computer from each diode is in proportion to the intensity of
light incident on the diode. The computer display shows how the intensity of light at the
detector varies along the line of the detector when both of the narrow slits are open.
c e n tre o f
d e te c to r, C
d e te c to r

in te n s ity

m o n o c h ro m a tic
lig h t s o u rc e

s in g le s lit

c a b le to
c o m p u te r
p a ir o f n a rro w
s lits

C
d is ta n c e f ro m C
d is p la y s e e n o n c o m p u te r

(i)

Describe and explain how the pattern on the display would change if the slit
separation were increased.
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................

(ii)

Each fibre consists of a core of refractive index 1.50 surrounded by cladding of

refractive index 1.32. Calculate the critical angle at the core-cladding boundary.
.................................................................................................................
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.................................................................................................................

Nilesh Chauhan

.................................................................................................................
(iii)

The diagram below shows a light ray entering an optical fibre at point P on the flat
end of the fibre. The angle of incidence of this light ray at the core-cladding
boundary is equal to the critical angle. On the diagram, sketch the path of another
light ray from air, incident at the same point P, which is totally internally reflected
at the core-cladding boundary.

c la d d in g
a ir
P
c o re

c la d d in g

(7)
(Total 15 marks)

16.

A vertical screen is placed several metres beyond a vertical double slit arrangement illuminated
by a laser. The diagram below shows a full-size tracing of the pattern of spots obtained on this
screen. The black patches represent red light whilst the spaces between them are dark.

Nilesh Chauhan

(a)

Using the wave theory, explain how the pattern of bright and dark patches is formed.
You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication provided in your
answer.
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(3)

(b)

The slit separation was 0.90 mm and the distance between the slits and the screen was 4.2
m.
(i)

Calculate the spacing of the bright fringes by taking measurements on the diagram
of the tracing.
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................

(ii)

Hence determine the wavelength of the laser light used.

.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 7 marks)

Nilesh Chauhan

17.

m e ta l p la te
d e te c to r
m ovem ent
m ic ro w a v e
tr a n s m itte r

A microwave transmitter directs waves towards a metal plate. When a microwave detector is
moved along a line normal to the transmitter and the plate, it passes through a sequence of
equally spaced maxima and minima of intensity.
(a)

Explain how these maxima and minima are formed.

You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your answer.
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(4)

(b)

The detector is placed at a position where the intensity is a minimum. When it is moved a
distance of 144 mm it passes through nine maxima and reaches the ninth minimum from
the starting point.
Calculate
(i)

the wavelength of the microwaves,

.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................

Nilesh Chauhan

(ii)

the frequency of the microwave transmitter.

.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

18.

(a)

State the conditions that are necessary for the formation of a stationary wave.
You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication provided in your
answer.
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)
P

1 .2 0 m
Figure 1
The diagram represents a stationary wave on a stretched string. The continuous line shows
the position of the string at a particular instant when the displacement is a maximum. P
and S are the fixed ends of the string. Q and R are the positions of the nodes. The speed of
1
waves on the string is 200 m s .
(i)

State the wavelength of the waves on the string.

.......................................................................................................................

(ii)

Calculate the frequency of vibration.

.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................

Nilesh Chauhan

(iii)

Draw on the diagram the position of the string 3.0 ms later than the position shown.
Explain below how you arrive at your answer.
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.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................
(5)
(Total 7 marks)

19.

(a)

The diagram below shows an arrangement used to investigate the properties of

microwaves.

tr a n s m itte r

re c e iv e r

When the transmitter T was rotated through 90 about the straight line XY, the receiver
signal decreased to zero. Explain why this happened and state the property of microwaves
responsible for this effect.
You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your answer.
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................
(3)

(b)

A microwave oven produces microwaves of wavelength 0.12 m in air.

(i)

Calculate the frequency of these microwaves.

.......................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................

Nilesh Chauhan

(ii)

In a certain oven, explain why food heated in a fixed position in this oven would be
uncooked at certain points if stationary waves were allowed to form.
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(3)
(Total 6 marks)

20.

The diagram below shows a section of a diffraction grating. Monochromatic light of wavelength
is incident normally on its surface. Light waves diffracted through angle form the second
order image after passing through a converging lens (not shown). A, B and C are adjacent slits
on the grating.

d
d

C
B

(a)

(i)

State the phase difference between the waves at A and D.

...........................................................................................................................

(ii)

State the path length between C and E in terms of .

...........................................................................................................................

(iii)

Use your results to show that, for the second order image,
2 = d sin ,
where d is the distance between adjacent slits.
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...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

Nilesh Chauhan
(3)

(b)

A diffraction grating has 4.5 10 lines m . It is being used to investigate the line
spectrum of hydrogen, which contains a visible blue-green line of wavelength 486 nm.
Determine the highest order diffracted image that could be produced for this spectral
line by this grating.
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

21.

A planepolarised laser beam is incident on a sheet of polaroid. The power of the transmitted
laser beam is controlled by rotating the sheet of polaroid, as shown in Figure 1.
tra n s m itte d b e a m

in c id e n t p la n e -p o la ris e d
la s e r b e a m

s h e e t o f p o la ro id

Figure 1
(a)

Use the axes in Figure 2 to sketch a graph to show how the power of the transmitted beam
varies with the angle of rotation, , of the polaroid from its position at
maximum transmitted power for one complete rotation of the polaroid sheet.
(3)

tra n s m itte d
pow er

90

180
Figure 2

270

360

/d e g re e

Nilesh Chauhan

(b)

The laser beam has a power of 0.50 mW and consists of monochromatic light of
wavelength 650 nm.
(i)

Calculate the energy of a photon emitted by the laser.

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(ii)

Calculate how many photons the laser emits each second.

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(iii)

The laser beam has an area of cross-section of 1.8 mm . When it is directed

normally at a polaroid of thickness 1.0 mm, orientated for maximum
absorption, almost all the incident light entering the polaroid is absorbed.
Estimate the average number of photons absorbed per second by an atom, of
diameter 0.30 nm, of the polaroid material.
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(6)
(Total 9 marks)

Nilesh Chauhan

22.

A diffraction grating was used to measure the wavelength of a certain line of a line emission
spectrum.
(a)

The grating had 600 lines per millimetre. The angle of diffraction of the second order line
was 35.8.
(i)

Calculate the wavelength of this line.

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(ii)

Calculate the energy, in eV, of a photon of this wavelength.

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(5)

Nilesh Chauhan

(b)

The line emission spectrum observed in part (a) was produced by a hot gas.
(i)

The energy level diagram for the atoms that produced the line spectrum is shown in
the diagram below. Mark on the diagram a vertical arrow to show the electron
transition between the two levels that produced photons of energy 6.8 eV.
0

2.2 eV

5.2 eV

7.8 eV

12.0 eV
(ii)

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

The temperature of the gas was 5000 K. Show that the mean kinetic energy of a gas
atom at this temperature is 0.65 eV.
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Nilesh Chauhan

(iii)

Describe how the atoms of a gas produce a line emission spectrum and explain why
the gas at a temperature of 5000 K can produce a line of the wavelength calculated
in part (a)(i).
You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your
answer.
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(6)
(Total 11 marks)

23.

(a)

State the characteristic features of

(i)

longitudinal waves,
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(ii)

transverse waves.
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(3)

Nilesh Chauhan

(b)

Daylight passes horizontally through a fixed polarising filter P. An observer views the
light emerging through a second polarising filter Q, which may be rotated in a vertical
plane about point X as shown in Figure 1.
p o la ris in g
filte r
P

p o la ris in g
filte r
Q

d a y lig h t

X
ro ta tio n a b o u t X

o b se rv e r

Figure 1
Describe what the observer would see as Q is rotated slowly through 360.
You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication provided in
your answer.
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(2)
(Total 5 marks)

24.

(a)

State what is meant by coherent sources of light.

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(2)

Nilesh Chauhan

(b)
sc re e n
s lit
m o n o c h ro m a tic
so u rc e

s lits
S

Figure 1
Youngs fringes are produced on the screen from the monochromatic source by the
arrangement shown in Figure 1.
You may be awarded marks for the quality of written communication in your answers.
(i)

Explain why slit S should be narrow.

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(ii)

Why do slits S1 and S2 act as coherent sources?

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(4)

Nilesh Chauhan

(c)

The pattern on the screen may be represented as a graph of intensity against position on
the screen. The central fringe is shown on the graph in Figure 2. Complete this graph to
represent the rest of the pattern by drawing on Figure 2.
in te n s ity

p o s itio n o n th e s c re e n
c e n tre o f p a tte rn
Figure 2
(2)
(Total 8 marks)