Name: _______________________________________________

Unit 3 waves

Date:

Time:

Total marks available:

Total marks achieved: ______

Questions
Q1.

This question is about waves.

(a) The diagram represents a wave.

(i) Determine the amplitude of the wave by measuring it with a ruler.

(1)
amplitude = ........................................................... cm
(ii) Determine the wavelength of the wave by measuring it with a ruler.
(1)
wavelength = ........................................................... cm

(b) Microwaves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

(i) Name the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that has a lower frequency than microwaves.
(1)
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(ii) Microwaves travel at a speed of 3.0 × 108 m / s in air.
A microwave has a wavelength of 2.7 cm.
Calculate the frequency of this microwave.
[wave speed = frequency × wavelength]
(3)

frequency = ........................................................... Hz

(c) A student uses a microwave source and a receiver to investigate microwaves.

Photograph 1 shows how the student sets up their apparatus.
 The meter shows the strength of the microwaves detected by the receiver.
The strength of the microwaves is measured in arbitrary units.
The student varies the distance between the microwave source and the receiver, and records the
meter readings.
(i) Photograph 2 shows the analogue meter for one of the readings.

Give the reading on the analogue meter.

(1)
reading = ........................................................... arbitrary units
(ii) The graph shows the results of the student's investigation.

The student concludes that the meter reading is inversely proportional to the distance between the
microwave source and the receiver.
To be inversely proportional
meter reading × distance = constant
Comment on the student's conclusion.
You should use data from the graph in your answer.
(4)
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(Total for question = 11 marks)

Q2.

(a) Diagram 1 shows water waves just before they reflect off the side of a stationary boat.

(i) Draw the normal at the point where the direction of travel of the waves meets the side of the boat.
(1)
(ii) Measure the angle of incidence of the water waves.
(1)
angle of incidence = .......................... degrees

(iii) Complete the diagram to show the wavefronts after they reflect off the side of the boat.
(3)
(b) The boat starts to move, creating its own waves on the surface of the water.
(i) Surface water waves are transverse.
Describe the difference between transverse waves and longitudinal waves.
(2)
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(ii) Diagram 2 shows the boat moving towards an observer.
 Explain why the frequency of the water waves measured by the observer is larger than the frequency
of the water waves created by the boat.
(3)
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(Total for question = 10 marks)

Q3.

Diagram 1 shows a ray of violet light entering a prism.

(a) (i) Calculate the angle of refraction for the violet light.
(1)

angle of refraction = ........................................................... degrees

 (ii) State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction.
(1)

(iii) Calculate the refractive index of the prism for violet light.
Give your answer to 2 significant figures.
(3)
refractive index = ...........................................................

Diagram 2 shows rays of red light and violet light entering the same prism.

Red light has a longer wavelength than violet light.

(b) Deduce a possible relationship between the wavelength and the refractive index for colours of the
visible spectrum.
(3)
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(Total for question = 8 marks)

Q4.

This question is about electromagnetic waves.

(a) Draw a straight line from each electromagnetic wave to its correct use.
 One has been done for you.
(4)

(b) State a hazard to humans of excessive exposure to infrared waves.

(1)
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(c) State a precaution that would reduce a person's risk of exposure to ultraviolet waves.
(1)
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(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q5.

This question is about refraction.

(a) State what is meant by the term refraction.

(1)
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(b) The diagram shows a ray of light from a torch incident on the surface of a pool of water.
 The angle of refraction of the ray of light is 33°
(i) Draw the path of the ray of light in the water.
(2)
(ii) State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction.
(1)

(iii) Show that the refractive index of water is about 1.3

(2)

(c) The torch is moved below the surface of the water. Light from the torch is incident on the water
surface at an angle greater than the critical angle.
(i) Explain the meaning of the term critical angle.
You may draw a diagram to help your answer.
(2)

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(ii) State the formula linking critical angle and refractive index.
(1)
 (iii) Calculate the critical angle of water.
Assume the refractive index of water is 1.3
(3)

critical angle = ........................................................... °

(iv) A ray of light leaves the torch as shown in the diagram.
Complete the path of the ray of light.
(2)

(Total for question = 14 marks)

Q6.

This is a question about light.

(a) State what is meant by the term critical angle.

You may include a diagram to help your answer.
(2)

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(b) The photograph shows a pair of binoculars.

 The diagram shows a cross-section through one half of a pair of binoculars.

There are two glass prisms inside this half of the pair of binoculars.
Complete the path of the light ray as it travels through this half of a pair of binoculars to the eye.
[critical angle of glass = 42°]
(3)

(Total for question = 5 marks)

Q7.

The diagram shows a ray of light travelling from air into glass.

(a) Use a protractor to determine the angle of refraction.

(1)
 angle of refraction = ........................................................... degrees

(b) State the formula linking refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction.
(1)

(c) Calculate the refractive index of this glass.

(3)

refractive index = ...........................................................

(Total for question = 5 marks)

Q8.

This question is about microwave ovens and microwaves.

(a) A microwave oven cooks some food.

Diagram 1 represents a microwave emitted by the microwave oven.

(i) Determine the wavelength of the microwave.

(2)

wavelength =........................................................ cm
(ii) The microwave has a frequency of 2.35 GHz.
Show that the speed of the microwave is about 3 × 108 m/s.
(3)
(b) Diagram 2 shows a damaged microwave oven with a hole in the door.

This microwave oven should not be used as it is very dangerous.

State a harmful effect from the microwaves if this oven is used.
(1)
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(Total for question = 6 marks)

Q9.

This question is about optical fibres.

(a) Optical fibres use light waves for communication.

Which of these is a correct statement about waves?
(1)
A waves transfer energy, information and matter
B waves do not transfer energy, information, or matter
C waves transfer energy without transferring information or matter
D waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter

(b) A ray of light passes from air into a glass optical fibre.
Diagram 1 shows the path of the ray of light after it has passed through the boundary between air and
the optical fibre.
(i) Draw the path of the ray of light in air before it passed through the boundary.
 (1)

(ii) State the name of the wave behaviour responsible for the path of the ray of light as it passes from
air into the optical fibre.
(1)
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(c) Diagram 2 shows the path of the ray of light as it travels through the optical fibre.

Explain the path of the ray of light as it travels through the optical fibre.
(3)
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(Total for question = 6 marks)

Mark Scheme
Q1.

Q2.
Q3.
Q4.

Q5.
Q6.
Q7.

Q8.

Total for Question = 6 marks

Q9.