Cambridge International AS Level Physics Answers to end-of-chapter questions

Answers to EOC questions

Chapter 14 Second maximum when n = 2:
–9
sin q = 2λ 2 × 656 × 10 = 0.656
d = –6
2.0 × 10
[1]
1 a So t = sin–1 0.656 = 41.0° [1]
Displacement

0 8 a Superposition is the algebraic summing of

Distance the displacements [1]
of two (or more) waves. [1]
ax
b λ = D leading to
The dashed line represents the resultant –9
a = λD =  590 × 10  × 1.8 × 12  [1]
wave.[2] x 16.8 × 10
–3

(Your diagram should show a good attempt a = 6.3 × 10–4 m [1]

to sum the two waves.)
c i More fringes seen on screen or fringe
b Wavelength is the same as that of the longer brightness decreases less from middle to
wave.[1] edge of screen [1]
less bright [1]
2 a More rounded [1]
ii Fringes wider / farther apart [1]
b Even flatter [1] same brightness [1]
3 Radio waves have a long enough wavelength, 9 a Coherent: constant phase difference [1]
up to 1 km, that they can diffract round the Monochromatic: very small or no range of
hills.[1] wavelengths / frequencies [1]
TV waves have very short wavelength
(centimetres or millimetres), so cannot b i First order produced by waves with path
diffract round the hills. [1] difference of one wavelength [1]
Second order produced by waves with path
4 Damita is correct; the sound from the difference of two wavelengths [1]
speakers will have many different frequencies ii Any two from:
and cannot be coherent. [2] lines at end A are further apart or lines at
end B are closer together [1]
5 Using ax = λd[1] lines at end A are thinner or lines at end B
wavelength λ = ax 1.5 × 1.2
d = 8.0 = 0.225 m ≈ 0.23 m are wider [1]
[1] lines at end A are brighter or lines at end B
are dimmer [1]
6 When the waves are in phase, they add up to
iii nλ = d sin q [1]
give loud sound. [1]
n = 1, leading to λ = sin 19.5°
They gradually go out of phase, and when 2  [1]
5000 × 10
they are in antiphase the sound is at its λ = 6.68 × 10–7 ≈ 6.7 × 10–7 m [1]
quietest.[1] nλ
iv sin q = D leading to
The waves gradually come back into phase sin q = 2 × 6.68 × 10–7 × 5000 × 102[1]
and become loud again. [1] q = 41.8 ≈ 42° [1]
7 Separation of slits d = 5000 1 = 2.0 × 10–4 cm
10

a The superposition of two waves 180° out of
= 2.0 × 10–6 m [1] phase[1]
First maximum when n = 1: to give (nearly) zero resultant. [1]
–9
sin q = dλ = 656 × 10–6 = 0.328
–2
[1] ax Dλ
b λ = D leading to x = a =  1.2 × 1.5 × 10  [1]
2.0 × 10 –2
12.5 × 10
So t = sin–1 0.328 = 19.1° [1]

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics © Cambridge University Press 2014

 Cambridge International AS Level Physics Answers to end-of-chapter questions

Number of fringes in 45 cm distance

–2
= 45 × 10
x = 3.125 [1]
three maxima [1]
8
c c = fλ leading to f = 3 × 10 –2  [1]
1.5 × 10
f = 2.0 × 1010 Hz [1]

11

a Spreading out of a wave after passing
through a gap in a barrier [1]
or around an object. [1]
b i, ii and iii

min
1

One mark for each line (the min line and the 1
line can be above the central line) [3]
–2 –2
c λ = ax 18 × 10  × 12 × 10 [1]
D leading to =  60 × 10
–2

–2
= 3.6 × 10  m [1]

Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics © Cambridge University Press 2014