# IBDP Physics 4.3 – Wave characteristics: IB Style Question Bank SL Paper 2

Question

a.

Outline what is meant by the principle of superposition of waves.[2]

b.

Red laser light is incident on a double slit with a slit separation of 0.35 mm.
A double-slit interference pattern is observed on a screen 2.4 m from the slits.
The distance between successive maxima on the screen is 4.7 mm.

Calculate the wavelength of the light. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.[3]

c.

Explain the change to the appearance of the interference pattern when the red-light laser is replaced by one that emits green light.[2]

d.

One of the slits is now covered.

Describe the appearance of the pattern on the screen.[2]

## Markscheme

a.

when 2 waves meet the resultant displacement

is the «vector» sum of their individual displacements

Displacement should be mentioned at least once in MP 1 or 2.

b.

λ = $$\frac{{4.7 \times {{10}^{ – 3}} \times 0.35 \times {{10}^{ – 3}}}}{{2.4}}$$

= 6.9 x 10–7 «m»

Allow missed powers of 10 for MP1.

c.

green wavelength smaller than red

fringe separation / distance between maxima decreases

Allow ECF from MP1.

d.

bright central maximum

subsidiary maxima «on either side»

the width of the central fringe is twice / larger than the width of the subsidiary/secondary fringes/maxima

OR

intensity of pattern is decreased

Allow marks from a suitably labelled intensity graph for single slit diffraction.

Question

Two microwave transmitters, X and Y, are placed 12 cm apart and are connected to the same source. A single receiver is placed 54 cm away and moves along a line AB that is parallel to the line joining X and Y.

a.

Maxima and minima of intensity are detected at several points along AB.

(i) Explain the formation of the intensity minima.

(ii) The distance between the central maximum and the first minimum is 7.2 cm. Calculate the wavelength of the microwaves.[4]

b.

Radio waves are emitted by a straight conducting rod antenna (aerial). The plane of polarization of these waves is parallel to the transmitting antenna.

An identical antenna is used for reception. Suggest why the receiving antenna needs to be be parallel to the transmitting antenna.[2]

c.

The receiving antenna becomes misaligned by 30° to its original position.

The power of the received signal in this new position is 12 μW.

(i) Calculate the power that was received in the original position.

(ii) Calculate the minimum time between the wave leaving the transmitting antenna and its reception.[3]

## Markscheme

a.

i
minima = destructive interference
Allow “crest meets trough”, but not “waves cancel”.
Allow “destructive superposition” but not bald “superposition”.

at minima waves meet 180° or π out of phase
Allow similar argument in terms of effective path difference of $$\frac{\lambda }{2}$$.
Allow “antiphase”, allow “completely out of phase”
Do not allow “out of phase” without angle. Do not allow $$\frac{{n\lambda }}{2}$$ unless qualified to odd integers but accept $$\left( {n + \frac{1}{2}} \right)\lambda$$

ii
$$\lambda = \frac{{sd}}{D}$$ or $$\lambda = \frac{{12 \times 2 \times 7.2}}{{54}} =$$ or $$\lambda = \frac{{12 \times 7.2}}{{54}} =$$ seen
Award [2] for a bald correct answer.

$$\lambda =$$ «$$\frac{{12 \times 2 \times 7.2}}{{54}} =$$» 3.2 «cm»
Award [1 max] for 1.6 «cm»
Award [2 max] to a trigonometric solution in which candidate works out individual path lengths and equates to $$\frac{\lambda }{2}$$.

b.

ALTERNATIVE 1

the component of the polarized signal in the direction of the receiving antenna

is a maximum «when both are parallel»

ALTERNATIVE 2:

receiving antenna must be parallel to plane of polarisation
for power/intensity to be maximum

Do not accept “receiving antenna must be parallel to transmitting antenna”

ALTERNATIVE 3:

refers to Malus’ law or I = I0 cos2θ

explains that I is max when θ = 0

ALTERNATIVE 4:

an electric current is established in the receiving antenna which is proportional to the electric field

maximum current in receiving antenna requires maximum field «and so must be parallel»

c.

i
$${I_0} = \frac{I}{{{{\cos }^2}\theta }}$$ or $$\frac{{12}}{{{{\cos }^2}30}}$$ seen
Award [2] for bald correct answer.
Award [1 max] for MP1 if 9 x 10-6W is the final answer (I and I0 reversed).
Award [1 max] if cos not squared (14 μW).

1.6 × 10-5«W»
Units not required but if absent assume W.

ii
1.9 × 10–4 «s»

Question

This question is about the superposition of waves.

a.

State what is meant by the principle of superposition of waves.[1]

b.

The diagram shows two point sources of sound, X and Y. Each source emits waves of wavelength 1.1 m and amplitude A. Over the distances shown, any decrease in amplitude can be neglected. The two sources vibrate in phase.

Points O and P are on a line 4.0 m from the line connecting X and Y. O is opposite the midpoint of XY and P is 0.75 m from O.

(i) Explain why the intensity of the sound at O is 4A2.

(ii) Deduce that no sound is detected at P.[5]

## Markscheme

a.

(when two similar waves meet) the resultant displacement is the (vector) sum of the individual displacements;

Allow [0] for description in terms of amplitude.

b.

(i) (constructive interference gives) amplitude 2A; intensity is proportional to square of total amplitude (=4A2);

(ii) attempted use of Pythagoras to measure path difference;

path difference =0.55 (m);

path difference = $$\frac{\lambda }{2}$$ (so out of phase / destructive interference);

Attempted use of Pythagoras may appear on diagram for (b)(i).