Quiz on topic 4.1 and 4.

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1. On which one of the following graphs is the wavelength λ and the amplitude a of a wave
correctly represented?

A. 
Displacement

0
0 Distance along
a wave

B. 
Displacement

0
0 Distance along
a wave

C. 
Displacement

0
0 Distance along
a wave

D. 
Displacement

0
0 Distance along
a wave

(1)

1
2. Diagram 1 below shows the displacement of part of a medium through which a wave is
travelling at time t = 0. Diagram 2 shows the displacement at a later time t = 4.0 s in which the wave
has moved forward 10 cm. In this time, the point P on the wave has moved from a crest through zero
displacement to a trough.

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

The wavelength of the wave is

A. 5.0 cm.

B. 10 cm.

C. 20 cm.

D. 40 cm.
(1)

3. A source produces water waves of frequency 10 Hz. The graph shows the variation with
horizontal position of the vertical displacement of the surface of water at one instant in time.

vertical displacement / cm
0.4

00 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 horizontal position / cm

–0.4

The speed of the water waves is

A. 0.20 cm s−1.

B. 4.0 cm s−1.

C. 10 cm s−1.

D. 20 cm s−1.
(1)

2
4. The diagram below shows a transverse wave on a string. The wave is moving from right to left.

direction of wave

upwards

left right

downwards

In the position shown, point X has zero displacement and point Y is at a position of maximum
displacement. Which one of the following gives the subsequent direction of motion of point X
and of point Y?

Point X Point Y

A. left left

B. upwards upwards

C. downwards left

D. downwards upwards
(1)

5. A water surface wave (ripple) is travelling to the right on the surface of a lake. The wave has
period T. The diagram below shows the surface of the lake at a particular instant of time. A
piece of cork is floating in the water in the position shown.

T
Which is the correct position of the cork a time later?
4

cork

A. B.

C. D.
(1)

3
6. A wave is travelling through a medium. The diagram shows the variation with time t of the
displacement d of a particle of the medium from t = 0 to t = 25 ms.

1.5

1
d/cm
0.5

00 5 10 15 20 25

–0.5 t/ms

–1

–1.5

Which of the following correctly gives the frequency and the amplitude of the wave?

frequency / Hz amplitude / cm

A. 2.0  10–2 2.0

B. 2.0  10–2 1.0

C. 50 2.0

D. 50 1.0
(1)

7. One end of a long string is vibrated at a constant frequency f. A travelling wave of wavelength 
and speed v is set up on the string.

The frequency of vibration is doubled but the tension in the string is unchanged. Which of the
following shows the wavelength and speed of the new travelling wave?

Wavelength Speed
λ
A. v
2
λ
B. 2v
2

C. 2 v

D. 2 2v
(1)

4
8. A transverse travelling wave has amplitude A0 and wavelength λ.

The distance between a crest and its neighbouring trough, measured in the direction of energy
transfer of the wave is equal to

A. A0.

B. 2A0.


C. .
2

D. λ.
(1)

9. The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement x of a particle undergoing
simple harmonic motion.

Which graph correctly shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the particle?

5
10. A wooden block is at rest on a horizontal frictionless
surface. A horizontal spring is attached between the
block and a rigid support.

The block is displaced to the right by an amount X and is

then released. The period of oscillations is T and the total energy of the system is E.

X
For an initial displacement of which of the following shows the best estimate for the period
2
of oscillations and the total energy of the system?

Period Total energy

E
A. T
2
E
B. T
4
T E
C.
2 2
T E
D.
2 4
(1)

11. Graph 1 below shows the variation with time t of the displacement d of a travelling (progressive) wave.
Graph 2 shows the variation with distance x along the same wave of its displacement d.

Graph 1 4
d / mm
2

0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
t/s
–2

–4

Graph 2 4
d / mm
2

0
0.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.4
x / cm
–2

–4

(i) State what is meant by a travelling wave.

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

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

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(ii) Use the graphs to determine the amplitude, wavelength, frequency and speed of the wave.

Amplitude: .................................................................................................
(1)

Wavelength: .................................................................................................
(1)

Frequency: .................................................................................................

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

Speed: .................................................................................................

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