1

 A longitudinal wave is travelling from right to left in a medium. Figure a shows

the equilibrium positions of particles A to L in the medium. Figure b shows the
positions of the particles at a certain time t = 0.
direction of wave

A B C D E F G H I J K L
Fig a

A B C D E F G H I J K L
Fig b

Fig c

20 cm

(a) State one particle which is

(i) at the centre of rarefaction,
(ii) moving to the left
at time t = 0. (2 marks)
(b) Suppose each particle takes 2 s to make one complete vibration. Find
(i) the frequency of the wave,
(ii) the wave speed.
(4 marks)
(c) Sketch the displacementdistance graph of the wave at t = 0. Take the
displacement to the left as positive. (2 marks)
(d) Draw the positions of particles D and G at t = 0.5 s in Figure c. (2 marks)

2
 In the figure below, two loudspeakers, X and Y, are connected to a signal
generator so that they produce coherent sound waves.
 (a) (i) Give the definition of longitudinal wave. (1 mark)
(ii) Suggest one practical way to prove that sound waves produced by the
loudspeakers are longitudinal waves. (2 marks)
(b) O is a point on line MN. It is equidistant from the two loudspeakers. A
microphone, which is connected to a CRO, is moved slowly from O towards
M. It detects the first minimum at point A. When the microphone stays at A,
the CRO display is as follows.

(i) Explain why a minimum is detected at A. (2 marks)

(ii) Suggest why the amplitude is not zero when the microphone stays at A.
(1 mark)
(iii) If XA = 2.4 m, YA = 2.8 m, estimate the wavelength of the sound waves.
(3 marks)
(iv) The frequency of the sound waves is increased and the first minimum is
then detected at B. Is B closer to or farther away from O than A is?
(1 mark)

3
 The figure below shows the floor plan of a room. A loudspeaker is placed at X
and Richard is standing at Y in front of a corner.
 Y

X
5m

5m

A loud sound of frequency 800 Hz is produced by the loudspeaker at time t = 0.

Assume the reflection of sound by the roof is negligible and the surfaces of the
walls are flat and smooth. The speed of sound in air is 340 m s1.
(a) Find the wavelength of the sound produced. (2 marks)
(b) (i) In the figure, draw the three different paths for the sound to reach
Richard. (3 marks)
(ii) Hence, estimate the time instants when Richard hears the sound.
(4 marks)
(c) A tall barrier is added as shown below and a loud sound is produced again.
Can Richard still hear the sound? Explain your answer. (2 marks)
 Y

tall barrier
X
5m

5m

4
 Two coherent dippers S1 and S2 vibrate in phase in a ripple tank. The figure below
shows the wave pattern at a certain moment. Solid lines represent crests and
dotted lines represent troughs. The wavelength of the wave is .

S1 S2 

(a) State the kind of interference that occurs at P. Explain your answer.
(2 marks)
(b)
 Ivy Destructive interference occurs
at Q as the displacement of the
particle at Q is zero.

Johnny
Constructive interference does
not occur at Q since the particle
at Q does not stay at its
maximum displacement.

Are Ivy and Johnny correct? Explain your answer. (5 marks)

(c) The dippers are stopped and water is added to the ripple tank. When the
dippers start vibrating with the same frequency again, the kind of
interference in (a) does not occur at P. Explain the reason. (2 marks)
(d) Both dippers are switched off and the water in the ripple tank calms down
after a while. At time t = 0, S1 starts vibrating again while S2 remains off.
(i) At which point, P or Q, does the wave passing through carried a larger
amount of energy? (1 mark)
(ii) Sketch the displacementtime graph of the particles at P and Q in the
figure below. (3 marks)
s

0 t
5
F
 As shown below, a pulse is produced on a string which is fixed at one end. P is a
particle on the string which is at 20 cm from the fixed end. The pulse travels
towards the fixed end and reaches P at time t = 0. The speed of the pulse is
10 cm s1.
10 cm s1

20 cm

5 cm

(a) In the figure below, draw the reflected pulse at the missing part of the string.
(1 mark)

(b) Find the time taken for the pulse to pass P completely. (1 mark)
(c) At what time does the reflected pulse reach P? (1 mark)
(d) Sketch the displacementtime graph of P from t = 0 to the instant the
reflected pulse passes P completely. (3 marks)
(e) The string is now connected to a vibrator. When the vibrator is switched on,
it vibrates at 40 Hz and a stationary wave is produced. The wavelength and
amplitude of the wave are 30 cm and 4 cm respectively.
(i) Explain how the stationary wave is formed. (3 marks)
(ii) In the figure below, sketch the displacementtime graph of P for one
complete vibration. (3 marks)
 s

0 t/s

4

6
A stretched spring is shaken at one end at 4 Hz and a wave travels from left to
right. The figure below shows the shape of the spring at a certain instant.

direction of travel
of wave

10 cm

10 cm

(a) (i) Is the travelling wave transverse or longitudinal? (1 mark)

(ii) What is the relationship between the direction of vibration of the
particles and the travelling direction of the wave? (1 mark)
(b) Find its
(i) amplitude, (1 mark)
(ii) wavelength, (1 mark)
(iii) period, and (2 marks)
(iv) speed. (2 marks)
 (c) If the spring is stretched longer and vibrated at the same frequency, how will
the speed, wavelength and period of the wave change? (3 marks)

7
A wave is travelling along a string from left to right. The figure below shows the
shape of the string at a certain instant.

direction of travel
of wave

A E
B

C F

8 cm

8 cm

(a) Is this a transverse wave or a longitudinal wave? State the relationship

between the direction of vibration of the particles and the travelling direction
of the wave. (2 marks)
(b) (i) Find the wavelength of the wave. (1 mark)
(ii) Find the amplitude of the wave. (1 mark)
(c) (i) State a pair of particles vibrating in phase. (1 mark)
(ii) State a pair of particles vibrating out of phase. (1 mark)
(iii) State a pair of particles vibrating in antiphase. (1 mark)
(d) Consider the instant shown in the figure.
(i) Name a particle that is moving upwards. (1 mark)
(ii) Name a particle that is moving downwards. (1 mark)
(iii) Name a particle that is at rest. (1 mark)

8
A transverse wave is travelling along a string. The figure below shows the shape
of the wave at t = 0.
 displacement / cm

travelling direction

A
4
D

B C distance / cm
0
5 10 15 20

4

(a) (i) Define a transverse wave. (1 mark)

(ii) Give an example of transverse waves other than the one shown above.
(1 mark)
(b) (i) State the amplitude of the wave. (1 mark)
(ii) State the wavelength of the wave. (1 mark)
(c) If particle B performs 5 complete oscillations in 2 s,
(i) find the frequency of the wave; (1 mark)
(ii) find the speed of the wave. (2 marks)
(d) Name a particle which is, at the instant shown,
(i) momentarily at rest, (1 mark)
(ii) moving upwards, (1 mark)
(iii) moving downwards. (1 mark)
(e) If the period of the wave is 0.4 s, sketch the displacementtime graph of
particle A from t = 0 s to t = 0.4 s. (2 marks)

9
 A long slinky spring lies on the ground and is fixed at one end. The other end is
flicked to produce a travelling transverse wave. The figure below shows the
displacement–time graph of a particle P on the spring.
 displacement

0 t1 t2 t3
time
t4 t5

(a) Define a transverse wave. (1 mark)

(b) What is the difference between a displacement–time graph and a
displacement–distance graph? (2 marks)
(c) From t1 to t5, when does particle P reach maximum and minimum speeds
respectively? (2 marks)
(d) Suggest how the speed of wave in the spring can be measured. (3 marks)
(e) State two factors that affect the wave speed. (2 marks)

10
 (a) State one difference between energy transfer by throwing a ball and by
producing a travelling wave. (2 marks)
(b) Water waves are travelling on a pond as shown in figure below. The
separation between two adjacent crests is 1.5 m and a duck is momentarily at
rest at position D.

1.5 m

15 cm
D

(i) Is this wave transverse or longitudinal? (1 mark)

(ii) Describe the motion of the duck as the wave passes it. (2 marks)
(iii) Name the position D. (1 mark)
(iv) State the amplitude of the wave. (1 mark)
(c) The duck takes 2 seconds to return to position D during the motion.
(i) Calculate the wave speed. (2 marks)
(ii) At which position does the duck acquire the maximum kinetic energy?
(1 mark)
11
 A transverse wave of frequency 2 Hz traveling along a string to the right. Figure a
shows its waveform at t = 0. The separation between two adjacent crests of the
wave is 4 cm. The vertical distance between a crest and a trough is 6 cm.

4 cm

2 cm

6 cm A B

Fig a
(a) Find
(i) its amplitude. (1 mark)
(ii) its period. (2 marks)
(iii) its speed. (2 marks)
(b) A and B are two particles on the string separated by 2 cm.
(i) Sketch the displacementtime graph for particle A from t = 0 to t = 1 s
in Figure b. (2 marks)

displacement / cm

6
3
0 time / s
0.5 1
3

6

Fig b
(ii) Sketch the displacementtime graph for particle B from t = 0 to t = 1 s
in Figure c. (2 marks)
 displacement / cm

6
3
0 time / s
0.5 1
3

6

Fig c
(c) What is the phase relationship between particle A and B? (1 mark)

12
 A travelling transverse wave is generated along a string. The following figure
shows the motion of the particle P at the position x = 0. At t = 0, the nearest
particle with zero displacement is at a distance 5 cm from P.

displacement / cm

A
4
D

B C time / s
0
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8

4

(a) Explain what is meant by a transverse wave. Give an example of a transverse

wave other than the above. (2 marks)
(b) Find the following quantities of the wave:
(i) Amplitude (1 mark)
(ii) Period (1 mark)
(iii) Frequency (1 mark)
(iv) Wavelength (1 mark)
(v) Speed (2 marks)
(c) At which point, A, B, C or D, is the particle
 (i) momentarily at rest? (1 mark)
(ii) moving upwards? (1 mark)
(iii) moving downwards? (1 mark)
(d) Sketch the displacementdistance graph of the string at t = 0.1 s from x = 0
to x = 10 cm. (2 marks)

13
 The displacement-distance graphs of the particles along a travelling wave at times
t = 0 and t = 0.3 s are shown below.
displacement

t=0

distance

Fig a
displacement

t = 0.3 s

distance

Fig b
(a) Find the following properties of the wave:
(i) Amplitude (1 mark)
(ii) Wavelength (1 mark)
(iii) Speed (2 marks)
(iv) Frequency (2 marks)
(v) Period (2 marks)
(b) Draw on Figure b the displacementdistance graph of the wave at t = 0.5 s.
(2 marks)
14
 A vibrator vibrates vertically and generates a wave on a string. The figure below
shows the string at t = 0. Each particle takes 0.25 s to complete one oscillation.

B
A travelling direction of the wave

C
vibration direction
of the vibrator

0.6 m

(a) What kind of wave is produced on this string, transverse or longitudinal?

(1 mark)
(b) Find the wave speed. (2 marks)
(c) Name a particle that is, at the instant shown,
(i) moving upwards. (1 mark)
(ii) moving downwards. (1 mark)
(iii) momentarily at rest. (1 mark)
(d) Sketch the shape of the string after 0.125 s. Show the positions of the
particles A, B, C and D. (2 marks)
(e) Sketch the displacementtime graph of particle D from t = 0 to t = 0.25 s.
(2 marks)

15
 A transverse wave model (Fig a) is set up on an overhead projector. The model is
set to rotate and an image of a transverse wave travelling to the right is projected
on a screen. Suppose that a particle ‘vibrates up and down’ 10 times in 5 seconds.
 Fig a
(a) What is meant by a transverse wave? (1 mark)
(b) The figure below (Fig b) shows the displacementdistance graph of the
‘wave’ at t = 0.

displacement / cm
P
4

2 S

Q
0 distance / cm
10 20 30 40

2

4
R

Fig b
(i) Find the amplitude of the ‘wave’. (1 mark)
(ii) Find the wavelength of the ‘wave’. (1 mark)
(c) Describe the motion of particles P, Q, R and S at t = 0. (4 marks)
(d) (i) Find the speed of the ‘wave’. (2 marks)
(ii) Find the time required for the ‘wave’ to travel 80 cm. (2 marks)
(e) Sketch the displacementtime graph of particle Q from t = 0 to t = 0.5 s.
(2 marks)
(f) If the frequency of this ‘wave’ increases, how will the wavelength and wave
speed be affected? How does this differ from a real transverse wave
travelling along a long spring? (2 marks)

16
 In a ripple tank experiment, a straight wave travels from one region to another of
a different depth. The direction of travel of the wave bends. The separation of
adjacent wavefronts changes from 5 cm to 3.5 cm in the process.

3.5 cm normal 5 cm
50°

(a) Describe how straight waves can be generated in a ripple tank. (2 marks)
(b) What wave phenomenon is demonstrated in the above experiment? Describe
this phenomenon briefly. (2 marks)
(c) Find the angle r. (2 marks)
(d) (i) What property of the waves remains unchanged in the process? (1 mark)
velocity of the incident waves
(ii) Find . (2 marks)
velocity of the bent waves
(iii) How will the answer in (ii) change if the incident angle is reduced to
zero? (1 mark)

17
 A wave bends around an obstacle into the shadow region as shown below.
obstacle

shadow region

(a) Name this wave phenomenon. (1 mark)

(b) State the properties of the wave that
(i) are changed in the shadow region. (2 marks)
 (ii) are unchanged in the shadow region. (3 marks)
(c) (i) Explain why the wave speed is changed / unchanged in the shadow
region. (1 mark)
(ii) By considering the energy carried by the wave, explain why the
amplitude is changed / unchanged in the shadow region. (2 marks)
(d) Sketch the wave pattern if an additional obstacle is added to above figure to
form a gap of size comparable to the wavelength. (2 marks)

18
F
 (a) State the principle of superposition. (1 mark)
(b) The figure below shows part of a stationary wave formed on a string. A, B
and C are three particles on the string.

B C
A

60 cm

(i) Describe how a stationary wave is formed. (2 marks)

(ii) List the pairs of particles that are in phase and in antiphase. (2 marks)
(iii) What is the wavelength of the wave? (1 mark)
(iv) The wave speed on the string is 6.0 m s–1. What is the frequency of the
wave? (2 marks)
(v) At the instant shown, particle C reaches the maximum displacement and
is 4 mm from equilibrium position. What is the amplitude of the two
travelling waves on the string? (2 marks)

19
 A cork is placed in a ripple tank as shown in Figure a. A vibrator is moving up
and down at the water surface to produce straight waves.
 vibrator
cork

Fig a
(a) State an advantage of using a ripple tank with inclined edges. (1 mark)
(b) Figure b shows the displacementtime graph of the cork. It takes 0.5 s for the
waves to travel a distance of 10 cm.
displacement / cm

0.3

0 time / s
0.1 0.2 0.3

0.3

Fig b
(i) Find the amplitude of the wave. (1 mark)
(ii) Find the frequency of the wave. (2 marks)
(iii) Find the speed of the wave. (1 mark)
(iv) Find the wavelength of the wave. (2 marks)
(c) The ripple tank is then tilted as shown in Figure c.

region A

region A

Fig c
(i) Sketch the wave pattern observed in the tank. (2 marks)
(ii) Explain your sketch in (i). (2 marks)
(iii) Name this wave phenomenon. (1 mark)
20
 This question is about a ripple tank experiment.
(a) Figure a shows a water wave in a ripple tank travelling across a boundary PQ
from region A to region B. The wavelength of the wave in region A is 0.05 m
while that in region B is 0.03 m.

0.05 m P

Q 0.03 m

region A region B

Fig a
(i) Describe briefly how to set up two regions of different depths in a ripple
tank. (1 mark)
(ii) Which region, A or B, is deeper? (1 mark)
(iii) If the frequency of the wave in region A is 10 Hz, what is the speed of
the wave in each region? (3 marks)
(b) Next, a barrier with an opening is set in region B. Figure b shows the water
wave travelling towards the opening of the barrier.

Fig b
(i) Draw the wave pattern formed on the other side of the barrier in Figure
b. (2 marks)
(ii) Name this wave phenomenon. (1 mark)
(c) Then, the width of the gap is increased as shown in Figure c. Draw the wave
pattern formed on the other side of the barrier in Figure c. (2 marks)
 Fig c

21
 This question is about water waves in a water tank.
(a) Figure a shows a series of straight waves in a water tank travelling across a
boundary from region X to region Y.

vibrator

region X region Y

Fig a
(i) Suggest one way to reduce the water waves reflecting back at the edges
of the tank. (1 mark)
(ii) Which of X and Y is deeper? (1 mark)
(iii) When the water wave travels from region X to region Y, how will the
following properties of the wave change?
(1) The wavelength (1 mark)
(2) The frequency (1 mark)
(3) The speed (1 mark)
(iv) Name this wave phenomenon. (1 mark)
(b) Figure b shows a series of straight waves travelling towards a barrier with an
opening.
 Fig b
(i) Draw the wave pattern formed on the other side of the barrier in
Figure b. (2 marks)
(ii) Name this wave phenomenon. (1 mark)
(iii) A student says, ‘The wave speed increases with the frequency of the
vibrator because there will be a greater number of wavefronts produced
in each second.’ Is the student correct? Explain briefly. (4 marks)

22
F
 A stationary wave is produced on an elastic string which is fixed with one end to a
vibrator and the other to a stand. The frequency of the vibrator is set at 50 Hz. The
distance between the vibrator and the stand is 1 m. The figure below shows the
positions of particles X and Y at the instant when they are furthest from their
equilibrium positions.

1m

Y
direction of
vibration
X
vibrator

(a) Find the wavelength and the wave speed of the stationary wave. (3 marks)
(b) In the figure, label an antinode with A and a node with N. (2 marks)
(c) Describe the motion of particles X and Y at the instant shown. (2 marks)
(d) The figure below shows the displacementtime graph of particle X.
 displacement

time

Sketch the displacementtime graph of particle Y in the same figure.

(2 marks)
(e) Describe how you can produce another stationary wave with fewer antinodes
compared with the one shown. (1 mark)

23
F
 A stationary wave is generated on a string as shown. The vibrator, 0.9 m away
from the stand, is vibrating at 25 Hz. At the instant shown, the particle B is at its
maximum displacement.

0.9 m

A
direction of C
vibration

vibrator
B

(a) Find the wavelength of the stationary wave. (1 mark)

(b) Compare the amplitudes and phases of particles A, B and C. (3 marks)
(c) How long does it take for particle A to complete one oscillation? (2 marks)
(d) Sketch the shape of the string after 0.01 s. Mark the positions of particles A,
B and C on the string. (4 marks)

24
F
 As shown in the figure below, a string is stretched by hanging a weight at one end.
The part of the stretched string that is free to vibrate is 1 m long. As the vibrator
vibrates at some particular frequencies, stationary waves are formed on the string.

1m

vibrator

weight

(a) How many antinodes are there in the above stationary wave? (1 mark)
(b) The table below shows the measurement results in the experiment.
Number of antinodes 1 2 3 4 5
Frequency of vibration f / Hz 14 28 43 54 69
Wavelength of stationary wave λ / cm
Speed of wave v / cm s–1
(i) Complete the table. (5 marks)
(ii) Suggest two factors that affect the speed of waves on a string. (2 marks)
(iii) If a heavier weight is used, explain how this affects the values of f in the
table. (4 marks)

25
F
 The set-up below can be used for measuring the speed of waves on a string.
 L

pulley

vibrator

weight

The string is stretched by hanging a weight at one end. As the vibrator vibrates at
some particular frequencies, stationary waves are formed on the string within the
length L.
(a) Draw the stationary wave pattern produced at the lowest frequency f0 of
vibration. Mark the positions of all the antinodes and nodes with ‘A’ and ‘N’
respectively. (3 marks)
(b) Given that f0 is 24 Hz, find
(i) the second lowest frequency f1. (2 marks)
(ii) the third lowest frequency f2. (2 marks)
(c) How does f0 change in each of the following cases?
(i) A heavier weight is used (1 mark)
(ii) The length L is shortened (1 mark)
(iii) The string is replaced by a more massive one. (1 mark)
(d) If f0 is 24 Hz and L is 1 m, what is the speed of waves on the string?
(3 marks)

26
 A ripple tank is filled with water. The tank consists of two regions: a shallow
region A and a deep region B, as shown in the following figure. A continuous
straight water wave is produced at X.
 water surface
X

A B

(a) Describe how to produce continuous straight water waves in the ripple tank.
(3 marks)
(b) A student takes a photograph of the wave in region A. Part of the photograph
is shown below.

12 cm

(i) What is the wavelength? (1 mark)

(ii) If the frequency of the wave is 5 Hz, find the wave speed in region A.
(2 marks)
(c) How will the wave change when it reaches region B? (2 marks)
(d) A barrier with two gaps is put on the boundary between regions A and B in
the water tank. The straight wave becomes circular after passing through the
gaps.

region A region B

(i) Name this phenomenon. (1 mark)

(ii) Sketch the wave pattern formed in region B. (2 marks)

27
 The figure shows a typhoon shelter and a water wave approaching it.

(a) (i) Sketch the wave pattern after the wave passes through the openings of
the shelter. (2 marks)
(ii) Explain why the ships are parked in the region as shown in the figure.
(2 marks)
(b) (i) If the region in the shelter is shallower than outside, another wave
phenomenon will be observed. Name this phenomenon. (1 mark)
(ii) Sketch the wave pattern inside the shelter. (2 marks)
(c) The figure below shows a simplified diagram for the shelter. The two
openings are named as A and B respectively. A point P is 230 m from A and
210 m from B.

230 m

210 m

(i) Find the largest possible wavelength of the waves if constructive

interference occurs at P. (2 marks)
(ii) Find the largest possible wavelength of the waves if destructive
interference occurs at P. (2 marks)
28
 (a) (i) Explain what diffraction is. (1 mark)
(ii) Explain why diffraction of light is an important evidence supporting the
wave theory of light. (2 marks)
(b) A beam of monochromatic light is diffracted by a narrow slit and falls onto a
screen. A fringe pattern is seen on the screen as shown below.

Intensity

Position

(i) Sketch a curve to show the intensity of the light against the position on
the screen. (2 marks)
(ii) Describe the fringe pattern shown on the screen. (2 marks)
(iii) Describe and explain what will be seen on the screen if the slit is
replaced with a much wider one. (3 marks)

29
 (a) Electromagnetic waves are varying electric and magnetic fields propagating
in space.
electric field

magnetic field

(i) State three properties of electromagnetic waves. (3 marks)

(ii) State the two kinds of electromagnetic waves having the highest
frequency ranges. Give one application for each of them. (4 marks)
(b) In the figure below, a transmitter emits radio signals to the surrounding areas.
 radio tall
shadows building
transmitter
hill

(i) Diffraction of waves occurs during the transmission. Explain whether

waves with a longer or shorter wavelength are advantageous for
reception in the radio shadows as indicated. (2 marks)
(ii) Explain how low-flying aeroplanes may affect the reception of radio
signals. (2 marks)

30
 (a) In Hong Kong, TV signals are broadcasted on UHF (ultra high frequency) at
about 500 MHz. Some TV stations in other countries, such as Australia, use
signals on VHF (very high frequency) at about 50 MHz.
(Given: speed of electromagnetic wave in air = 3  108 m s1)
(i) Name the electromagnetic waves used in TV broadcasting. (1 mark)
(ii) Calculate the wavelengths of VHF and UHF waves at the frequencies
given above. (3 marks)
(iii) Will it be easier to receive strong signals on VHF or UHF in an urban
area full of tall buildings? Explain your answer. (3 marks)
(iv) For a user 25 km away from a broadcasting station, what is the shortest
time the signals take to reach the user? (2 marks)
(b) The table below shows the broadcasting frequencies of some local radio
stations.

Radio station FM AM
RTHK 1 92.6 – 94.4 MHz —
RTHK 2 94.8 – 96.9 MHz —
RTHK 3 — 567 kHz
RTHK 4 97.6 – 98.9 MHz —
 RTHK 5 — 783 kHz
CRHK 1 88.1 – 89.5 MHz —
CRHK 2 90.3 – 92.1 MHz —
Metro Radio 99.7 MHz —
Metro Finance 104 MHz —
Metro Plus — 1044 kHz

A radio station uses a wave of wavelength 3.4 m in broadcasting.

(i) Find the broadcasting frequency of the radio station. (1 mark)
(ii) Which radio station is it? (1 mark)

31
 (a) You are provided with a laser pointer, a double slit and a translucent screen.
(i) Describe, with the aid of a diagram, how you obtain an interference
pattern. (3 marks)
(ii) Describe what you expect to observe in the experiment. Explain the
pattern observed briefly. (3 marks)
(b) The double slit is replaced by a single slit.
(i) What kind of wave phenomenon will occur? Describe what you expect
to observe in this case. (2 marks)
(ii) Explain why it is difficult to observe this phenomenon of light in daily
life. (2 marks)

32
 The following figure shows the positions of particles on a travelling longitudinal
wave at time t1 and their equilibrium positions. The displacement–distance graph
of the wave at time t1 is plotted, taking the direction to the right as positive.
 a b c d e f g h i j k l m
Equilibrium position

Time t1

displacement

distance

1 cm

(a) From the figure, what can you say about the particles having zero
displacement at a certain time? (2 marks)
(b) State one pair of particles in the figure that are
(i) in phase. (1 mark)
(ii) out of phase. (1 mark)
(iii) in anti-phase. (1 mark)
(c) (i) State the wavelength of the wave. (1 mark)
(ii) State the amplitude of the wave. (1 mark)
(d) The frequency of the wave is 3 Hz. Find
(i) the period of vibration of a particle. (2 marks)
(ii) the speed of the wave. (2 marks)

33
 A small plasticine is stuck on a slinky spring which is pushed and pulled from the
left end continuously, generating a wave.

direction of travel
20 cm plasticine

region X region Y

(a) Name
(i) the kind of wave generated. (1 mark)
 (ii) the regions X and Y. (2 marks)
(b) State the direction of motion of the plasticine at the instant shown. (1 mark)
(c) (i) State the wavelength of the wave. (1 mark)
(ii) Calculate the separation between the centres of X and Y. (2 marks)
(d) (i) How is the frequency of wave motion related to the frequency of the
plasticine oscillation? (1 mark)
(ii) Calculate the wave speed if the frequency of the plasticine oscillation is
0.5 Hz. (2 marks)

34
 During daytime, the air near the ground is usually warmer than the air at high
altitudes. The case during the night is usually the opposite. When sound waves are
emitted from the ground, they travel in different pathways during daytime and the
night, as shown in Figures a and b.

cooler air warmer air

warmer air cooler air

Fig a Fig b
(a) State the conditions for total internal reflection to occur. (2 marks)
(b) Explain why the sound waves travel in pathways as shown in the two figures.
(4 marks)
(c) It is given that the speeds of sound in carbon dioxide and air under room
conditions are 259 m s–1 and 343 m s–1 respectively.
(i) Find the critical angle at an air–carbon dioxide interface. (2 marks)
(ii) Suppose a thick layer of carbon dioxide is floating near the ground.
Sketch the pathway of the sound in the following figure. (2 marks)
 carbon dioxide

35
 Two loudspeakers X and Y separated by 1 m are connected to the same signal
generator and emit coherent sound waves at frequency 5 kHz. A student hears
alternate loud and soft sounds as he walks on the straight line as shown in the
following figure. He finds that the distance x between two points P and O, where
adjacent loud sounds are heard, is 0.54 m.

X 1m Y

8m

P O

x = 0.54 m path of student

(a) Explain what coherent sources are. (2 marks)

(b) (i) Find the path difference at point P. (3 marks)
(ii) Find the wavelength of the wave. (2 marks)
(iii) Hence, calculate the speed of sound in air. (2 marks)
(c) State and explain how x changes if
(i) the frequency of the sound decreases. (1 mark)
(ii) the two sources are in antiphase. (1 mark)
36
 A fishing boat is equipped with a radar and a sonar. The detector and transmitter
of one of the devices are shown in the figure below.

(a) (i) Name the types of waves used by the radar and the sonar. (2 marks)
(ii) State two differences between these two kinds of waves. (2 marks)
(b) State one function for each of the devices. (2 marks)
(c) (i) An object is 600 m below the boat. A signal is emitted from the boat and
detected after 0.8 s. Calculate the speed of the emitted waves. (2 marks)
(ii) What kind of wave is used? State and explain one advantage of this kind
of wave. (3 marks)

37
 A longitudinal wave of frequency 2 Hz travels to the right along a slinky spring.
The figure below shows the positions of some particles on the spring at instant t.
The equilibrium positions of the particles are also shown in the figure. Particle B
is at its maximum displacement at instant t.

equilibrium A B C D E F G H I
positions

at instant t

10 cm

(a) At the instant shown,

(i) name a particle which is at the centre of compression. (1 mark)
(ii) name a particle which is at the centre of rarefaction. (1 mark)
(iii) name a particle which is at rest. (1 mark)
 (b) Plot a displacementdistance graph of the particles at the instant shown. Take
the displacement towards the right as positive. (4 marks)
(c) Find the amplitude of the longitudinal wave. (1 mark)
(d) Find the wavelength of the longitudinal wave. (1 mark)
(e) Find the speed of the longitudinal wave. (2 marks)

38
 George pushes and pulls a spring (Fig a) to produce a wave travelling along the
spring towards the right (Fig b).
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O



Fig a

travelling direction of the wave

A B C D E F GH I J K L M N O



X Y

Fig b
(a) Name regions X and Y in Figure b. (2 marks)
(b) George records the positions of the coils at the moments shown in Figures a
and b.
 At the moment in Fig a

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O

At the moment in Fig b

A B C D E G I J K L M N O

F H

5 cm

Fig c
(i) What is the amplitude of the wave? (1 mark)
(ii) Take the direction to the right as positive. Sketch the
displacementdistance graph of the wave at the moment shown in
Figure b, from coil A to coil O. State the coils with zero displacement
and displacement of maximum magnitude. (3 marks)

(iii) If it takes 1 s for the wave to travel from coil A to coil G, find the speed
of the wave. (2 marks)
(iv) What is the direction of motion of coil A at the moment shown in Figure
b? (1 mark)
(c) The period of the wave is 2 s. On the graph in (b)(ii), sketch the
displacementdistance graph of the wave (from coil A to coil O) 3 s after the
moment as shown in Figure b. (1 mark)

39
 The figure below (Fig a) shows the equilibrium positions of particles A to M.
Figure b shows the positions of the particles at a certain time when a longitudinal
 wave travelling to the right passes through them. Suppose that particle B performs
5 complete oscillations in 1 s.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M

10 cm

Fig a

A B C DE F G H I J K L M

10 cm

Fig b
(a) Explain what is meant by a longitudinal wave. State an example of a
longitudinal wave. (2 marks)
(b) (i) Find the amplitude of the wave. (1 mark)
(ii) Find the wavelength of the wave. (1 mark)
(c) (i) Find the frequency of the wave. (1 mark)
(ii) Find the period of the wave. (1 mark)
(iii) Find the speed of the wave. (2 marks)
(d) Identify in Figure b two particles that are
(i) in phase, and (1 mark)
(ii) in antiphase. (1 mark)
(e) Identify in Figure b one particle that is
(i) at the center of a compression, and (1 mark)
(ii) at the center of a rarefaction. (1 mark)
(f) Draw the positions of the particles after 0.1 s. (1 mark)

40
 (a) Explain what are longitudinal waves and transverse waves. (2 marks)
(b) (i) Describe a method to demonstrate that sound waves are longitudinal
waves. (2 marks)
 (ii) Describe a method to demonstrate that water waves are transverse
waves. (2 marks)
(c) In space, astronauts communicate with each other by radio.
(i) Explain why they cannot talk to each other without radio equipments.
(1 mark)
(ii) Explain why radio equipments can help them communicate. (1 mark)
(iii) State two other differences between sound waves and radio waves.
(2 marks)

41
 In an experiment, a candle flame is placed in front of a loudspeaker which is
producing a low-pitch sound. The flame vibrates backwards and forwards.

(a) Explain briefly what this experiment suggests about the nature of sound.
(3 marks)
(b) Alice is standing in front of the loudspeaker. Suggest three ways to decrease
the loudness of the sound heard by her. (3 marks)
(c) If the sound produced by the loudspeaker has a frequency of 800 Hz, what is
the wavelength of the sound? (Given: The speed of sound in air = 340 m s1)
(2 marks)
(d) When the set-up is put into a box, no sound is heard. Suggest a possible
reasons and explain your answer. (2 marks)

42
 The figure below (Fig a) shows an electric bell suspended inside a glass jar. Air is
gradually removed from the jar by a vacuum pump. When a vacuum is reached
inside the jar, only a faint ringing can be heard.

glass jar

electric bell

air being removed

by vacuum pump

Fig a
(a) What does the experiment illustrate about the transmission of sound?
(1 mark)
(b) Explain why a faint ringing sound can still be heard after the air is removed.
(1 mark)
(c) When the ringing sound of the electric bell is picked up by a microphone
connected to a CRO, the following waveform is seen on the screen (Fig b).

time base setting: 0.1 ms / div

Fig b
(i) The waveform displayed has crests and troughs. A student says that this
shows sound is a transverse wave. Is he correct? (1 mark)
(ii) The trace seen on the screen is produced by the motion of a light spot. Is
the trace a wave motion? Explain briefly. (2 marks)
(iii) Estimate the frequency of the ringing sound. (3 marks)
 (iv) If a guitar string produces a note of the same pitch as the electric bell,
will the waveform of the note displayed on the CRO be the same as
Figure b? Explain briefly. (2 marks)

43
 A boy stands between two walls A and B as shown in the following figure. He
shouts towards wall A at t = 0.
wall B wall A

(a) At t = 0.8 s, he hears the echo. Take the speed of sound in air as 340 m s1.
(i) Why does the boy hear an echo? (1 mark)
(ii) How far is wall A from the boy? (2 marks)
(iii) If the distance between wall B and the boy is 150 m, when will he hear
the second echo? (2 marks)
(b) The shout of the boy is picked up by a microphone and its waveform is
displayed on a CRO. State the change in the waveform if
(i) the boy shouts louder. (1 mark)
(ii) the boy shouts at a higher pitch. (1 mark)
(iii) the boy uses a device to produce ultrasonic waves. (1 mark)
(c) State two applications of ultrasonic waves. (2 marks)

44
 This question is about the wave phenomena of sound.
(a) A boy is shouting in front of a door (Fig a). This produces a series of sound
waves approaching the doorway. The top view is shown in Figure b.
 doorway sound waves
doorway

Fig a Fig b
(i) Sketch the wave pattern formed on the other side of the doorway.
(2 marks)
(ii) Name this wave phenomenon. (1 mark)
(iii) Explain how the behaviour of a beam of light waves passing through a
doorway is different to that of sound waves. (2 marks)
(b) Two identical loudspeakers P and Q emit sound of the same frequency and
loudness as shown in Figure c.

P CRO

R
C
signal Q microphone

generator
Y

Fig c
Point C is equidistant from the loudspeakers and line XY is parallel to the line
joining the loudspeakers. A microphone connected to a CRO is moved along
XY to detect the sound. The variation of the amplitude of the CRO trace with
the position of the microphone is shown in Figure d.

amplitude of
CRO trace

position of
X C microphone
Y
 Fig d
(i) Explain why the amplitude shows alternate maxima and minima.
(2 marks)
(ii) Explain why the amplitude at the minimum points is non-zero.
(2 marks)
(iii) David says that the amplitude observed along RC will show a similar
pattern. State whether he is correct. Explain briefly. (4 marks)

45
 Two identical loudspeakers L1 and L2 are connected to a signal generator. Sound
of frequency 300 Hz is produced. Peter stands in front of the loudspeakers such
that the distance between him and the loudspeakers are 8.25 m and 5.50 m
respectively. The speed of sound in air is 330 m s1.

Peter

L1 L2

signal
generator

(a) Find the wavelength of the sound emitted by the loudspeakers. (2 marks)
(b) Explain whether Peter will hear a loud sound or a soft sound. (4 marks)
(c) The set-up now generates sound of frequencies 150 Hz at the same output
volume. How does the sound that Peter hears change in terms of pitch and
loudness? Explain briefly. (6 marks)
(d) When loudspeaker L1 is turned off and loudspeaker L2 gives out a sound of
frequency 300 Hz at the same output volume, will Peter hear a louder sound
when compared to the situation in (b)? (1 mark)

46
 A fishing boat emits ultrasonic waves to detect shoals of fish.
(a) What are ultrasonic waves? (2 marks)
(b) State three differences between ultrasonic waves and light waves. (3 marks)
(c) Explain why ultrasonic waves are used in sonar instead of audible sound
waves. (2 marks)
(d) The waves reflected by a shoal of fish are detected after 0.3 s. Take the speed
of the sound in water as 1500 m s–1. Find the distance between the fishing
boat and the shoal of fish. (2 marks)
(e) Name two other applications of ultrasonic waves. (2 marks)

47
 A longitudinal wave is travelling towards the right in a medium. The following
figure shows the displacement–distance graph of the wave at t = 0. The direction
towards the right is taken as positive.

displacement
1 cm
B 1 mm

A distance

(a) State the amplitude and wavelength of the wave. (2 marks)

(b) It is given that the wave speed is 0.5 m s–1. Find the period of the wave.
(3 marks)
(c) Describe the motion of particles A, B and C at this instant. (3 marks)
(d) What is the distance between particles B and C at this instant? (1 mark)
(e) Sketch the displacement–time graph of particle C from t = 0 to t = 0.1 s.
(2 marks)
displacement

time / s
0.1