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IB DP Physics Questions

4.2 Travelling Waves

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the relationship between wave speed (v), frequency (f), and wavelength (λ)?

A. v = f x λ

B. v = f + λ

C. v = f/λ

D. v = f - λ

Question 2

Which type of wave causes particles of the medium to vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation?

A. Longitudinal waves

B. Transverse waves

C. Both A and B

D. Neither A nor B

Question 3

Sound waves are an example of:

A. Transverse waves

B. Longitudinal waves

C. Electromagnetic waves

D. Surface waves

Question 4

Using Huygens' principle, which of the following best describes the propagation of wavefronts?

A. Each point on a wavefront acts as a source of secondary wavelets.

B. Wavefronts always propagate in a straight line.

C. Wavefronts can only propagate in a vacuum.

D. Wavefronts are always circular in shape.

Question 5

If the frequency of a wave doubles while its speed remains constant, what happens to its wavelength?

A. It remains the same.

B. It doubles.

C. It is halved.

D. It becomes four times.

Question 6

a) A wave travels with a speed of 300 m/s and has a frequency of 500 Hz. Calculate its wavelength. [2]

b) Differentiate between transverse and longitudinal waves, providing one example for each. [3]

Question 7

a) Describe Huygens' principle and its significance in understanding wave propagation. [3]

b) A wavefront approaches a barrier with two small slits. After passing through the slits, what pattern is observed on a screen placed behind the barrier? [2]

Question 8

a) A tuning fork produces a sound wave with a frequency of 440 Hz. If the speed of sound in air is 340 m/s, determine the wavelength of the sound produced. [2]

b) What is the difference between wave speed and frequency when describing a wave? [3]

Question 9

a) A wave on a string has a frequency of 5 Hz and a wavelength of 0.4 m. Calculate the speed of the wave. [2]

b) Explain the relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength. [3]

c) If the frequency of the wave is doubled, what will be its new wavelength? [2]

Question 10

a) Describe the difference between a wavefront and a ray when discussing wave propagation. [3]

b) Using Huygens' principle, explain how a straight wavefront can bend around an obstacle. [3]

c) What pattern is observed when a wavefront encounters a barrier with a single slit? [2]

Question 11

Which of the following waves does not require a medium for propagation?

A. Sound waves

B. Water waves

C. Light waves

D. Seismic waves

Question 12

In a transverse wave, the distance between two consecutive crests is called:

A. Amplitude

B. Frequency

C. Wavelength

D. Wave speed

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the direction of vibration of particles in a longitudinal wave?

A. Perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation

B. In a circular motion

C. Parallel to the direction of wave propagation

D. Random

Question 14

If a wave has a frequency of 50 Hz and a wavelength of 2 meters, what is its speed?

A. 25 m/s

B. 50 m/s

C. 100 m/s

D. 200 m/s

Question 15

Which of the following waves can be polarised?

A. Sound waves

B. Light waves

C. Both A and B

D. Neither A nor B

Question 16

a) What are transverse waves? Provide two examples. [3]

b) A transverse wave has an amplitude of 5 cm. What does this amplitude represent? [2]

c) If the amplitude of the wave is increased, how does it affect the energy of the wave? [3]

Question 17

a) Define longitudinal waves and give two real-world examples. [3]

b) In a longitudinal wave, what do compressions and rarefactions represent? [3]

c) How is the speed of sound in the air affected by an increase in temperature? [2]

Question 18

a) A wave travels with a speed of 3 m/s and has a frequency of 2 Hz. Calculate its wavelength. [2]

b) What is the difference between the speed of a wave and the speed of the particles in the medium through which the wave travels? [3]

c) If the frequency of the wave is halved, how will its speed and wavelength change, if at all? [3]

d) Describe the phenomenon that occurs when two waves of the same frequency and amplitude interfere constructively. [3]

Question 19

a) Define what is meant by the term "wavefront." [2]

b) Using Huygens' principle, explain how wavefronts propagate. [4]

c) Differentiate between a plane wavefront and a spherical wavefront. [3]

d) How do the rays relate to the wavefronts in terms of their direction? [2]

Question 20

a) What are transverse waves? Give an example. [2]

b) Describe the motion of particles in a medium when a longitudinal wave passes through it. [3]

c) How does the amplitude of a wave relate to its energy? [3]

d) If a wave has a high frequency, what can you infer about its wavelength, assuming the wave speed remains constant? [3]

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