IB DP Physics 1 hour 87 questions

Multiple Choice Questions

Wave Phenomena
Wavefronts & Rays / Reflection, Refraction & Transmission / Diffraction of Waves /
Refraction of Waves / Superposition of Waves / Interference of Waves / Young’s
Double-Slit Experiment / Single-Slit Diffraction / Diffraction Gratings

Easy (32 questions) /32 Scan here to return to the course

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Medium (29 questions) /29

Hard (26 questions) /26

Total Marks /87

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Easy Questions
1 Wavefront diagrams can be used to indicate the frequency of waves.

Which wave has the lowest frequency?

(1 mark)

2 Which of the following statements is the correct description of a ray?

A. The net displacement of a medium when two waves meet

B. A line that joins all the points on a wave that have the same phase
C. A line that indicates the direction of energy propagation
D. A line that indicates the plane of the oscillation of the electric field
(1 mark)

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3 Which statement correctly describes the principal of superposition?

A. When two waves meet the resultant polarisation will be the sum of the individual
polarisations

B. When two waves meet the resultant wavelength will be the sum of the individual
wavelengths

C. When two waves meet the resultant intensity will be the sum of the individual
intensities

D. When two waves meet the resultant displacement will be the sum of the individual
displacements
(1 mark)

4 When two similar waves meet they superpose.

What is the correct resultant displacement for the superposition of the following waves?

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 (1 mark)

5 Which phrase correctly completes the following sentence?

In a ray diagram showing reflection, the angle of incidence is the angle between

A. the incident ray and the boundary surface.

B. the incident ray and the normal.
C. the incident ray and the reflected ray.
D. the reflected ray and the boundary surface.
(1 mark)

6 Which property of a wave does not change as a result of refraction?

A. Frequency, f
B. Wavelength, λ
C. Wave speed in the medium, v
D. Amplitude, A
(1 mark)

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7 Ray diagrams can be used to show the reflection, refraction and transmission of light at
the boundary between media.

In the diagram, what feature does X represent?

A. Reflected ray
B. Refracted ray
C. Transmitted ray
D. Incident ray
(1 mark)

8 A monochromatic laser beam is shone into the surface of a tank filled with water. The
effects on the laser beam due to the water are observed.

How will the properties of the light be affected by the water?

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 speed wavelength frequency

A no change increases decreases

B decreases decreases no change

C increases decreases no change

D decreases no change increases

(1 mark)

9 Which image shows the correct ray diagram for light passing from air into water?

(1 mark)

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10 The diagram shows a wave approaching an aperture.

Which diagram correctly shows the resulting diffraction pattern for the wave?

(1 mark)

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11 Which row correctly describes the conditions for constructive and destructive
interference in a double-slit diffraction pattern?

Constructive Destructive

A. Crest + crest Trough + trough

B. Crest + trough Trough + trough

C. Trough + trough Crest + crest

D. Crest + crest Crest + trough

(1 mark)

12 The diagram shows two waves. One wave is emitted from source s1 and travels to point
P. The other wave is emitted from source s2 and travels to point P.

What is the path difference between the waves?

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 A. 1λ
1
B. 1 λ
2
C. 2λ
1
D. 2 λ
2
(1 mark)

13 The double-slit equation describes the relationship between the separation distance of
the fringes on the screen, s, the distance between the screen and the slits, D, the
separation of the slits, d, and the wavelength, λ, of the light.

λD
s=
d

Which line gives the correct units for the quantities?

s D λ d

A. m m m m

B. m−1 m m s−1 m

C. m m s−1 m m−1

D. m2 m−1 m m

(1 mark)

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14 When does diffraction occur?

A. In all waves
B. In soundwaves only
C. In transverse waves only
D. In light waves only
(1 mark)

15 Light incident on a single slit creates a diffraction pattern on a screen a certain distance
away.

What is the definition of a single slit diffraction pattern?

A. A single slit diffraction pattern is represented as dark fringes of light on the screen
separated by coloured strips that show areas of constructive and destructive
interference.

B. A single slit diffraction pattern is represented as a single white band of light in the
centre of the screen with black surrounding it.

C. A single slit diffraction pattern is represented as a series of light and

dark fringes which show the areas of maximum and minimum intensity.

D. A single slit diffraction pattern is represented as a series of wide and narrow strips
of light which show the areas of constructive and destructive interference.
(1 mark)

16 When white light is diffracted through a single slit which colour appears closest to the
central maximum when viewed on a screen?

A. Violet
B. Blue
C. Red
D. Green
(1 mark)

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17 Light of different wavelengths is incident on a single slit. A diffraction pattern is created
on a screen a distance away.

What is the relationship between the wavelength of the light and the width of the bright
fringe on the diffraction pattern?

A. Blue light produces a diffraction pattern with the widest fringes

B. Red light produces a diffraction pattern with the widest fringes
C. All wavelengths of light produce bright fringes of equal width
D. Changing the width of the slit is the only variable that affects the width of the bright
fringes
(1 mark)

18 Monochromatic light is incident on a narrow slit and a diffraction pattern of bright and
dark fringes is observed on a screen some distance away.

How does making the single slit narrower affect the spacing of the bright fringes on the
screen?

A. The fringe spacing increases with diffraction angle away from the central maximum
B. The fringe spacing is narrower
C. The fringe spacing is wider
D. It has no effect
(1 mark)

19 What is the equation for the angle of diffraction of the first minima for light diffracted
through a single slit that creates a diffraction pattern onto a screen?

λ
A. θ =
b
B. nλ = d sinθ
λD
C. s =
d
s
D. θ =
d
(1 mark)

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20 Light of the same wavelength is incident on a single slit. The width of the slit is changed.
A diffraction pattern for each slit width is observed on a screen some distance away.

Which diffraction pattern represents that of the narrowest slit?

(1 mark)

21 Monochromatic light of different wavelengths is incident on a single slit. An interference

pattern is observed on a screen some distance away.

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 Which interference pattern represents the longest wavelength of light?

(1 mark)

22 Monochromatic light is incident on a single slit and the interference pattern is observed
on a screen some distance away.

What is the expression for the path difference between two rays that interfere
destructively at a point P on the screen?

nλ
A.
2
B. nλ
C. d sinθ
λD
D.
d
(1 mark)

23 Monochromatic light is incident on a single slit with a diffraction pattern created on a

screen some distance away.

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 λ
What small angle approximation is used in obtaining the equation θ = to calculate
b
the angle of diffraction of the first minimum of the single slit diffraction pattern?

A. tanθ ≈ sinθ
B. sinθ ≈ θ
C. tanθ ≈ θ
D. cosθ ≈ θ
(1 mark)

24 Monochromatic light is incident on a single slit and an intensity pattern is observed on a

screen some distance away.

How does the intensity pattern change when the single slit and the screen are moved
further apart?

A. Fringe intensity is decreased

B. Fringe intensity is increased
C. Fringe width is decreased
D. Fringe width is increased
(1 mark)

25 When light from two sources produces an observable interference pattern it is necessary
that:

A. The light emitted from the sources is monochromatic

B. The light emitted from the sources is in phase
C. The light emitted from each source is of the same intensity
D. The light from both sources is coherent
(1 mark)

26 Monochromatic light of wavelength λ is incident on a double slit of width d and the

diffraction pattern is observed on the screen some distance D away.

What is the equation used to calculate the fringe spacing s observed on the screen?

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 λ
A. θ = 1 . 22
b
λD
B. s =
d
C. nλ = d sinθ
λ
D. θ =
b
(1 mark)

27 Which of the following is a safety consideration whilst using lasers in a laboratory?

A. Only one laser can be used at a time to avoid overheating

B. Lasers must be of class 4 strength or below
C. Lasers must only be used in a room with a blackout blinds
D. Lasers must not be shone into anyone's eyes
(1 mark)

28 Monochromatic light is incident on a double slit which produces a diffraction pattern on

a screen some distance away.

How is the brightness of each of the fringes related?

A. The fringes increase in brightness by a factor of two as the interference pattern

moves further away from the central maximum

1
B. The bright fringes become dimmer by a factor of as the interference
slit width
pattern moves further away from the maximum

C. The central maximum is brighter than the subsequent maxima by a factor of two
D. Each fringe has equal brightness and therefore equal intensity
(1 mark)

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29 Light from a single source passes first through a single slit and then through a double
slit. A diffraction pattern is observed on the screen and a resulting interference pattern is
obtained. This interference pattern has been modulated.

What is modulation?

A. An interference pattern created from a combination of interference through both a

double slit and a single slit.

B. An interference pattern that contains both constructive and destructive interference

C. A change in frequency of the incident light on the single and double slits
D. The phase difference that is calculated from the interference pattern at the first
minimum
(1 mark)

30 Monochromatic light incident on a diffraction grating creates both primary and

secondary maxima in the diffraction pattern.

What is the relationship between the number of slits in the diffraction grating, when the
number of slits is less than 20, and the number of secondary maxima that can be
observed on the screen?

A. The number of primary and secondary maxima in each diffraction pattern is the
same

B. The number of secondary maxima in the diffraction pattern is always one less than
the number of primary maxima.

C. The number of secondary maxima in the diffraction pattern is always the same as
the number of slits in the diffraction grating

D. The number of secondary maxima between the primary maxima is always two less
than the number of slits in the diffraction grating
(1 mark)

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31 What is a diffraction grating?

A. Two slits created as two gaps within a material through which waves can be
diffracted

B. A plate consisting of a very large number of parallel, identical, closely-spaced slits

C. A circular aperture through which light can be diffracted and then images resolved
D. A photographic filter that allows light in only one plane to pass through
(1 mark)

32 What is the equation used to calculate the angular separation between the order of
maxima for a diffraction grating?

λ
A. θ =
b
λD
B. s =
d
C. v = fλ
D. nλ = d sinθ
(1 mark)

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Medium Questions
1 The diagram shows a wave moving along a rope under tension in the direction shown.

Which of the following graphs, A to D, correctly shows the variation of displacement s

with time t of the particle K in the rope?

(1 mark)

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2 Two waves from individual point sources meet at a point X. Which of the following
conditions is necessary for interference to be observed at point X?

A. Waves of equal amplitude

B. Waves of equal wavelength
C. A constant phase difference between the waves
D. The waves must be electromagnetic
(1 mark)

3 This diagram below shows two apertures through which planar waves are passed as they
are moving to the left. The wavefronts show crests moving in phase. Given this
information, at which point will the amplitude of the waves be a minimum?

(1 mark)

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4 A flat plate made of glass has a refractive index of n = 1.52. What is the speed of light
within this material?

A. 1.36 × 108 m s–1

B. 1.67 × 108 m s–1
C. 1.97 × 108 m s–1
D. 2.66 × 108 m s–1
(1 mark)

5 When a light ray enters a denser medium and refracts, some of the characteristics of the
wave will change. Which of the following options is correct about this change?

Speed Frequency Wavelength

A Increases Decreases Stays constant

B Decreases Stays constant Decreases

C Stays constant Decreases Increases

D Increases Increases Stays constant

(1 mark)

6 The effect of a double slit on monochromatic light is observed by the set up in the

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 diagram below.

Interference fringes are seen on the screen.

Which of the following changes would increase the distance between the adjacent
fringes?

A. Decrease the width of all the slits

B. Move the screen closer to the double-slit
C. Use light of a higher frequency
D. Decrease the distance between the two slits
(1 mark)

7 Which of the following options will alter the frequency of a wave?

A. Reflection
B. Refraction
C. Diffraction
D. None of the above
(1 mark)

8 Young’s double-slit experiment is setup as shown, including a monochromatic source, a

single slit, a double slit and a screen. What is the purpose of the single slit in this

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 experiment?

A. To make sure there is equal intensity in the double-slits

B. To make sure the light is coherent upon the double-slits
C. To decrease intensity for the double-slits
D. To reduce the wavelength of the light
(1 mark)

9 Identical waves that begin propagation at the same time leave from two different
sources and arrive at the same point – point X. The first source is 18 m from point X. The
second source is 10.5 m from point X. The waves of both sources have a wavelength of 3
m. What is observed at X?

A. Complete destructive interference

B. Partial destructive interference
C. Partial constructive interference
D. Complete constructive interference
(1 mark)

10 Which of the following images shown below best represents the path of visible light

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 traveling through a glass prism?

(1 mark)

11 The angle of incidence should always be measured between:

A. The normal and the reflected ray

B. The incident ray and the normal
C. The incident ray and the reflected ray
D. The incident ray and the surface of the second medium
(1 mark)

12 In two separate experiments, monochromatic light is incident on a single slit. The

diagrams show the interference patterns obtained on a screen far from the slit. In

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 diagram 1, the wavelength of light is λ1 and the slit width is b1. In diagram 2, the
wavelength of light is λ2 and the slit width is b2.

What is the correct expression linking wavelength and slit width of the two interference
patterns?

A. λ2 < λ1
B. b2 < b1
λ1 λ2
C. >
b1 b2
λ1 λ2
D. <
b1 b2
(1 mark)

13 Which of the statements are true for single-slit interference?

I. Blue light produces a larger angle of diffraction than red light

II. The smaller the slit width, the larger the angle of diffraction for a constant wavelength

A. Neither
B. I only
C. II only
D. Both
(1 mark)

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14 Four diffraction experiments are performed using diffraction gratings with different
numbers of slits.

Which row in the table below correctly matches the number of slits and the intensity
pattern observed on the screen?

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 Experiment 1 Experiment Experiment Experiment 4
2 3

A. 5-slit diffraction Single Slit Double Slit 10-slit diffraction

grating grating

B. 10-slit diffraction Single Slit Double Slit 5-slit diffraction

grating grating

C. 10-slit diffraction Double Slit Single Slit 5-slit diffraction

grating grating

D. 5-slit diffraction Double Slit Single Slit 10-slit diffraction

grating grating

(1 mark)

15 Monochromatic light is incident on a narrow rectangular slit in an optical experiment.

The diffracted light is observed on a distant screen. The graph below shows how the
intensity of light varies with position on the screen.

The width of the slit is increased. The original diffraction pattern is shown by the solid
line.

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 Which graph shows how the intensity of light observed varies with position on the
screen?

(1 mark)

16 The diagram shows the diffraction pattern for light travelling through a single slit of

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 width 2.0 mm.

What is the wavelength of the light used?

A. 2.0 cm
B. 2.0 mm
C. 20 μm
D. 20 nm
(1 mark)

17 White light is diffracted through a single slit.

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 Which row in the table indicates the correct positions of red (R), violet (V) and white (W)
light on the intensity pattern seen on a screen?

(1 mark)

18 A single slit diffraction pattern is performed several times using light of different colours,
slits of different widths and different distances to the screen. Which change will decrease
the width of the central peak?

A. Change the light source from red to blue

B. Change the light source from blue to red
C. Make the slit width narrower
D. Move the screen further away
(1 mark)

19 A parallel beam of coherent light of wavelength λ is incident on a rectangular slit of

width b. After passing through the slit the light is incident on a screen a distance D from
the slit where D is much greater than b.

What is the width of the central maximum of the diffraction pattern as measured on the
screen?

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 b
A.
Dλ
Dλ
B.
b
2b
C.
Dλ
2λD
D.
b
(1 mark)

20 In a diffraction experiment with a single slit, the first minimum is observed at a

diffraction angle θ. The intensity of the central maximum of the diffraction pattern is I.
The light source stays the same. What is the effect on I and θ of reducing the slit width?

θ I

A. decreases increases

B. increases decreases

C. decreases decreases

D. increases increases

(1 mark)

21 A single slit produces a diffraction pattern. The angle from the centre of the pattern to
the first minimum point is Y. The slit width is then halved and the frequency of light is
doubled.

What is the new angle from the centre of the pattern to the first minimum point?

A. 4Y

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 1
B. Y
2
C. Y
1
D. Y
4
(1 mark)

22 Waves emitted from sources V and W are initially in phase and have equal wavelengths.
Point A is not equidistant between V and W. The waves interfere destructively at point A,
where the path difference is 0.30 m.

What is the maximum possible value of the wavelength of the waves?

A. 0.60 m
B. 0.30 m
C. 0.20 m
D. 0.12 m
(1 mark)

23 The diagram below shows an arrangement for a two-slit interference experiment.

Coherent light of frequency f is incident on two narrow parallel slits S1 and S2. An

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 interference pattern is observed on a screen a distance away. The central bright fringe is
at O and the next bright fringe is at P. The speed of light is c.

The distance S2P – S1P is equal to

f
A.
c
c
B.
2f
c
C.
f
f
D.
2c
(1 mark)

24 The interference of light waves is observed using a double-slit arrangement as shown

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below.

Which of the following best shows the intensity distribution of light at point O on the

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 screen?

(1 mark)

25 In an experiment, light incident on a diffraction grating has a first maximum of the

second order in the same location as the first minimum of a single slit diffraction pattern.
The light source and the distance from the slits to the screen are kept the same.

What is the relationship between the slit separation d and the slit width b?

A. d = 2b
b
B. d =
4
C. d = 4b
b
D. d =
2

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 (1 mark)

26 The graph shows the intensity pattern from the interference of monochromatic light
passing through N slits.

Which row gives the correct value of N and the correct relationship between the slit
separation d and the wavelength λ?

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 N Relationship

A. 6 λ
d=
2

B. 6 d = 2λ

C. 4 d = 2λ

D. 4 λ
d=
2

(1 mark)

27 Green light is incident on a diffraction grating, a double-slit and a single-slit. The patterns
produced on a screen some distance away are shown below.

Which row in the table correctly identifies patterns p, q and r?

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 p q r

A. Diffraction Grating Double Slit Single Slit

B. Double Slit Single Slit Diffraction Grating

C. Single Slit Double Slit Diffraction Grating

D. Diffraction Grating Single Slit Double Slit

(1 mark)

28 The graph shows the variation with diffraction angle of the intensity of light when
monochromatic light is incident on a diffraction grating.

The number of slits is reduced to less than 20. The width and the separation of the slits
remain the same.

Three possible changes to the pattern are:

I. The intensity of the primary maxima increases

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 II. The width of the primary maxima increases

III. Secondary maxima are seen between the primary maxima

Which of the possible changes are correct?

A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III only
(1 mark)

29 A beam of monochromatic light is incident normally on a double slit. The slit spacing is
d. The angles between the different orders are shown on the diagram.

What is the expression for the wavelength of light used?

A. λ = sD
B. λ = sθ

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C. λ = θD
D. λ = θd
(1 mark)

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Hard Questions
1 A ripple tank is used to demonstrate the movement of progressive waves. In the tank, a
wave is set in motion from left to right.

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The wave is shown at time t = 0. Points X and Y on the wave have been marked.

Which option correctly shows the displacement-time graphs for both X and Y?

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 (1 mark)

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2 Two pulses are travelling towards each other.

What is a possible shape observed when the pulses undergo superposition?

(1 mark)

3 In a Young’s double-slit experiment, the spacing of the double slits is d and the distance
between the slits and the screen on which fringes are formed is D. When monochromatic
light of wavelength λ is incident on the slits the distance between adjacent fringes on the
screen is s.

Which row shows another arrangement that produces a fringe spacing of s?

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 Wavelength of the Distance between the slits and Spacing of double
light the screen Slits

A. 4λ 2D 4d

B. 2λ 2D 2d

C. 4λ 2D 2d

D. 4λ 2D 8d

(1 mark)

4 K is the source of a wave of frequency 25 Hz.

The wave travels to point M by two routes, K → L → M and K → M. The speed of the wave
is 15 m s−1.

What is the path difference between the two waves at M in terms of the wavelength λ of
the waves?

A. 4λ
B. 6.6λ
C. 31.6λ
D. 2.4λ
(1 mark)

5 The diagram below shows an arrangement used to investigate double slit interference

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using microwaves.

The diagram below shows the view from above.

The microwaves from the transmitter are polarised. These waves are detected by the
aerial in the microwave detector (probe). The aerial is a vertical metal rod.

The detector is moved along the dotted line UY. As it is moved, maximum and minimum
signals are detected. Maximum signals are first detected at points V and W. The next
maximum signal is detected at the position X.

The distances between each of the two slits, S1 and S2 and the microwave receiver when
the aerial is in position X are S1X = 0.3335 m and S2X = 0.3615 m

Select the three correct reasons that explain why the signal strength falls to a minimum
between U and V, and between V and W.

Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3

A Waves are out of Creating the path difference Constructive

phase interference occurs

B Waves are out of Creating the path difference Destructive

phase interference occurs

C Waves have a path Path difference is a half-integer Destructive

difference number of wavelengths interference occurs

D Waves have a path Path difference is a half-integer Constructive

difference number of wavelengths interference occurs

(1 mark)

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6 A sound source X1 is positioned w cm to the left of sound source X2. Both sound sources
are y m below the detection line AB. AB runs parallel to X1X2 . When a sound detector is
slowly moved along the line AB, a maxima is first detected at P, followed by a minima at
Q, with another maxima at R and a minima at S. PQRS are all equidistant apart with X1 S
= X2 S.

Which one of the following is a correct expression for the wavelength of the sound?

A. X1Q - X1P
B. X1R - X1Q
C. X1Q - X2Q
D. X1R - X2R
(1 mark)

7 A ray of light is incident on a material made from three layers, each having a different
optical density, so that in each layer the light travels at a different speed.

For layer 1: refractive index = n1 and the speed of light = c1

For layer 2: refractive index = n2 and the speed of light = c2

For layer 3: refractive index = n3 and the speed of light = c3

Angle of incidence = i

Angle of refraction = r

This is illustrated in the diagram below:

Which is the correct expression for c3, the speed of light in the third layer?

c 1n 1
A.
n3
c 2n 2
B.
c3

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 c 1n 1
C.
n2
c 2n 2
D.
sin (r 3)
(1 mark)

8 Diamonds are highly valued because of their sparkle. This is caused by total internal
reflection, which reflects most of the light that falls onto a cut diamond out of the face
we see. Fake gems, called ‘paste’, are often used in jewellery because they are cheaper.
However, paste gems sparkle much less than real diamonds.

The diagrams show a possible path of light through a real diamond, and another through
a fake.

Which row in the table contains only statements which must be true?

critical angle of diamond nd vd

nf

A Very small >1 < vf

B Very small <1 > vf

C Very large >1 < vf

D Very large <1 > vf

Where:

n = refractive index;

nd is the refractive index of the diamond

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 nf is the refractive index of the fake
v = speed of light

vd is the speed of light in the diamond

v­­f is the speed of light in the fake

(1 mark)

9 A double slit interference experiment is conducted using monochromatic light of

wavelength λ. The centre of the observed pattern is a bright fringe.

What is the path difference between two waves which interfere to give the second dark
fringe from the centre?

A. λ
B. 1 . 5λ
C. 2 . 5λ
D. 3 . 5λ
(1 mark)

10 A student is investigating the interference of waves. They set up coherent waves

produced at points S and T and travel outwards in all directions.

The line XY is halfway between S and T and perpendicular to the joining line S and T. The
distance XY is much greater than the distance ST.

Which line or lines would an interference pattern be seen along?

A. WZ only
B. XY only
C. Both XY and WZ
D. Neither XY or WZ
(1 mark)

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11 When moving from material A to material B, the direction of a ray of light moves away
from the normal. If nA and nB are the refractive indices of materials A and B respectively,
then which of the following statements is true in this situation?

nA
A. The ratio of is larger than one
nB
nA
B. The ratio of is less than one
nB
nA
C. The ratio of is exactly than one
nB
nA
D. The ratio of cannot be known without more information
nB
(1 mark)

12 The diffraction pattern for light passing through a single slit is shown on the graph
below.

slit width
What is the ?
wavelength of light

A. 0 m
B. 1 × 10−2 m
C. 2 × 10−2 m
D. 100
(1 mark)

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13 Monochromatic light is incident on two slits that are identical. An interference pattern is
produced on a screen some distance away. Upon returning to the experiment a Physicist
notices that there are fewer maxima now present on the screen.

What aspect of the equipment set up has been changed?

A. The screen and slits have been moved further apart

B. The wavelength of the light used is longer
C. The wavelength of the light used is shorter
D. One of the slits has become blocked
(1 mark)

14 When monochromatic light is incident on a single slit a diffraction pattern forms on a

screen. The width of the slit is increased.

What are the changes in the width of the central and subsidiary maxima and in the
intensity of the central and subsidiary maxima of the single slit diffraction pattern?

Width of Intensity of Width of Intensity of

central central subsidiary subsidiary
maximum maximum maximum maximum

A. decreases increases decreases increases

B. increases increases increases decreases

C. decreases decreases decreases increases

D. increases increases decreases decreases

(1 mark)

15 A beam of photons moving in the direction shown is incident on a rectangular slit of

width, b. The angle produced at X by the interference pattern of the photons diffracting

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 through the slit is θ.

What is the component of the energy of the photons at point X on the screen?

θb
A. E =
hc
B. E = θb
hc
C. E =
θb
θb
D. E =
c
(1 mark)

16 A beam of light of wavelength λ is incident upon a single slit of width w. After passing
through the slit, the light is incident on a screen at a distance Q from the slit.

Which of the following changes, carried out separately, will result in an increased width
of the central maxima observed on the screen?

λ w Q

A. increase increase increase

B. decrease increase decrease

C. decrease decrease decrease

D. increase decrease increase

(1 mark)

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17 A parallel beam of coherent light of wavelength p nm is incident on a rectangular slit of
width p µm. After passing through the slit the light is incident on a screen a distance p m
away.

What is the width of the central maximum of the diffraction pattern as measured on the
screen?

A. p × 10−6
B. p2 × 10−3
C. 2p2 × 10−3
D. 2p2
(1 mark)

18 A parallel beam of light of wavelength 400 nm is incident normally on a slit of width b.

The distance between the slit and the screen is 0.2 m and the distance of the second
order of maximum from the centre of the screen is 10 mm.

What is the width of the slit?

A. 1 × 10−4 m
B. 1 × 10−2 m
C. 0.1 m
D. 1 m
(1 mark)

19 A parallel beam of light of wavelength λ passes through a slit of width b. The transmitted
light is collected on a screen D m away where D ≫ b.

What is the distance between the two second-order minima?

Dλ
A.
2b
2Dλ
B.
b

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 4Dλ
C.
b
8Dλ
D.
b
(1 mark)

20 Radiation is incident on a single rectangular slit. The diffracted beam that emerges from
the slit is incident on a screen. Both the slit width and the wavelength of the radiation are
tripled. The intensity of the radiation remains the same.

Which answer option correctly describes the total number of photons incident every
second on the screen and the angular width of the central maximum of the diffracted
beam?

Number of photons incident every Angular width of the central

second maximum

A tripled unchanged

B a third unchanged

C unchanged tripled

D tripled a third

(1 mark)

21 A monochromatic source of light of wavelength λ is incident on a single slit of width b.

The interference pattern is visible on the screen where the angle of the third minima is θ.

What is the wavelength of the light?

bθ
A.
6

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 bθ
B.
3
bθ
C.
2
D. bθ
(1 mark)

22 Monochromatic light of wavelength λ is incident on a double slit. The resulting

interference pattern is observed on a screen a distance p from the slits. The distance
between consecutive fringes in the pattern is 21 mm when the slit separation is q.

λ and q are tripled and p is doubled.

What is the new distance between consecutive fringes?

A. 7 mm
B. 21 mm
C. 42 mm
D. 63 mm
(1 mark)

23 The figure below shows a spectrometer that uses a diffraction grating to split a beam of
light into its constituent wavelengths and enables the angles of the diffracted beams to
be measured.

Light with a particular wavelength is passed through the diffraction grating. The angle of
diffraction θ at the centre of the first observed beam at Z in the image above is 63.0⁰ and
the grating has 1562 lines per mm.

A dark fringe is observed at position W, with the central maximum at the straight-
through position.

How many orders of maxima of this light are present at this wavelength?

A. 1
B. 2

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 C. 3
D. 4
(1 mark)

24 A diffraction grating is illuminated normally with light of wavelength 5.5 x 10-7m.

When a screen is 1.2 m from the grating, the distance between the zero and first-order
maxima on the screen is 0.40 m.

What is the number of lines per mm of the diffraction grating?

A. 1.7 x 10-6
B. 3.5 x 1010
C. 588
D. 588 x 103
(1 mark)

25 A Physicist carried out Young's double slit experiment using a monochromatic beam. The
diagram shows the equipment set-up and the pattern produced with a ruler next to it.

What is the wavelength of the monochromatic beam?

A. 0.03 nm
B. 3 nm
C. 6 µm
D. 9 µm
(1 mark)

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26 White light is passed through a double slit and an interference pattern is observed on a
screen 2.0 m away. The separation between the slits is 0.5 mm. The first violet and red
fringes are formed 2.0 mm and 3.0 mm respectively away from the central white fringe.

What are the wavelengths of the violet and red light?

A. Violet light wavelength = 0.5 m and red light wavelength = 0.75 m

B. Violet light wavelength = 500 nm and red light wavelength = 750 nm
C. Violet light wavelength = 750 nm and red light wavelength = 500 nm
D. Red light wavelength = 250 nm and violet light wavelength = 250 nm
(1 mark)

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