SL Paper 1

Two waves meet at a point in space. Which of the following properties always add together?

A.     Displacement

B.     Amplitude

C.     Speed

D.     Frequency

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
This question highlighted a common confusion between displacement and amplitude.

Which graph correctly shows how the acceleration, a of a particle undergoing SHM varies with its displacement, x from its equilibrium position?

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Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

A transverse travelling wave has an amplitude x0 and wavelength λ. What is the minimum distance between a crest and a trough measured in the

direction of energy propagation?

A.     2x0

B.     x0

C.     λ
λ
D.     2

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

A point source emits sound waves of amplitude A. The sound intensity at a distance d from the source is I. What is the sound intensity at a distance

0.5d from the source when the source emits waves of amplitude 2A?

A. 16I

B. 4I

C. I
1
D. 4
I

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

/
In which of the following regions of the electromagnetic spectrum is radiation of wavelength 600 nm located?

A.     microwaves

B.     radio waves

C.     visible light

D.     X-rays

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
Candidates are expected to recall the orders of magnitude of the wavelengths of the principal radiations in the electromagnetic spectrum, as

stipulated by the Guide.

A student stands a distance L from a wall and claps her hands. Immediately on hearing the reflection from the wall she claps her hands again. She

continues to do this, so that successive claps and the sound of reflected claps coincide. The frequency at which she claps her hands is f. What is the

speed of sound in air?

L
A.
2f

L
B.  f

C. Lf 

D. 2Lf

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

A particle is displaced from rest and released at time t = 0. It performs simple harmonic motion (SHM). Which graph shows the variation with time of

the kinetic energy Ek of the particle?

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Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

What is the phase difference, in rad, between the centre of a compression and the centre of a rarefaction for a longitudinal travelling wave?

A. 0
π
B. 2

C. π

D. 2π

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

/
A wave on a string travels to the right as shown. The frequency of the wave is f . At time t = 0 , a small marker on the string is in the position shown.

1
What is the position of the marker at t =
4f
?

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

Electromagnetic waves

A.     always obey an inverse square law.

B.     are made up of electric and magnetic fields of constant amplitude.

C.     always travel at the same speed in a vacuum.

D.     are always polarized.

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
Anything that radiates outwards from a point source will obey the inverse square law, whether it be gravity, magnetism from a monopole, warmth or

light. But there are situations when an electromagnetic wave does not radiate equally in all directions – as, for example, with a laser. So C is the

correct response.

The frequency of the first harmonic standing wave in a pipe that is open at both ends is 200 Hz. What is the frequency of the first harmonic in a pipe of

the same length that is open at one end and closed at the other?

A.  50 Hz
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B.  75 Hz

C.  100 Hz

D.  400 Hz

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

Two travelling waves are moving through a medium. The diagram shows, for a point in the medium, the variation with time t of the displacement d of

each of the waves.

                      

For the instant when t = 2.0 ms, what is the phase difference between the waves and what is the resultant displacement of the waves?

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

An orchestra playing on boat X can be heard by tourists on boat Y, which is situated out of sight of boat X around a headland.

/
The sound from X can be heard on Y due to

A.     refraction.

B.     reflection.

C.     diffraction.

D.     transmission.

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

A wave pulse travels along a light string which is attached to a frictionless ring. The ring can move freely up and down a vertical rod.

What is the shape of the wave pulse after reflection?

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Markscheme
C

Examiners report
It would seem that many candidates were not familiar with reflection of a wave from a free boundary.

A pipe of length L has two open ends. Another pipe of length L′ has one open end and one closed end.

′
L
The frequency of the first harmonic of both pipes is the same. What is  L
?

A.   2

3
B.   2

C.  1

1
D.   2

Markscheme
/
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

Two identical waves of wavelength λ leave two sources in phase. The waves meet and superpose after travelling different distances. Which path

difference will result in destructive interference?

λ
A. 4

λ
B. 2

3λ
C. 4

D. λ

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

Which of the following gives regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in the order of decreasing frequency?

A. gamma-ray, microwave, visible

B. radio wave, infrared, microwave
C. ultraviolet, infrared, microwave
D. visible, gamma-ray, radio wave

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

Which of the following is a value of wavelength that is found in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum?

A.     4 × 10
−5
 m
/
B.     4 × 10−7  m

C.     4 × 10−9  m

D.     4 × 10−11  m

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

For a body undergoing simple harmonic motion the velocity and acceleration are

A. always in the same direction.

B. always in opposite directions.
C. in the same direction for a quarter of the period.
D. in the same direction for half the period.

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
Many candidates opted for B and this may be down to not taking the time to read the question carefully. Typically, questions on simple harmonic motion ask for

the relationship between acceleration and displacement, but in this case, the question asks for the relationship between acceleration and velocity. Candidates

will benefit from checking that the other options are wrong before quickly deciding upon their initial thoughts.

In simple harmonic oscillations which two quantities always have opposite directions?

A.  Kinetic energy and potential energy

B.  Velocity and acceleration

C.  Velocity and displacement

D.  Acceleration and displacement

Markscheme
D

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Examiners report
[N/A]

The power emitted as electromagnetic radiation by the Sun is approximately 4×1026 W. The radius of the orbit of Mars around the Sun is

approximately 2×1011 m. What is the best estimate for the power incident on an area of 1 m2 at the radius of Mars’ orbit?

A. 103 W
B. 107 W
C. 1011 W
D. 1015 W

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

The intensity of radiation from a star at the surface of one of its planets is I. The distance between the star and the planet is d.

d
What is the intensity at the surface of another planet which is a distance 4
from the star?

A. 4I
B. 8I
C. 16I
D. 64I

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
This was a slightly unusual question in that the inverse square law is usually used by starting close to an object and then moving away; here it was used in

reverse. Nevertheless, one distance was four times further than the other and so the intensity ratio would be 1:16 with it therefore being 16 times greater for the

planet closer to the star.

/
Waves emitted from sources X and Y have equal wavelengths and are initially in phase. The waves interfere destructively at point P, where the path

difference is 0.60m.

What is a possible value for the wavelength of the waves?

A. 0.20 m
B. 0.30 m
C. 0.40 m
D. 0.60 m

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
Candidates needed to recognise that the path difference needs to be equal to an odd number of half-wavelengths for destructive interference to happen. With a

path difference of 0.60m this is true only for wavelength of 0.40m giving a half- wavelength of 0.20m and thus three half-wavelengths occurring.

A girl in a stationary boat observes that 10 wave crests pass the boat every minute. What is the period of the water waves?

1
A.  10
 min

 min–1
1
B.  10

C.  10 min

D.  10 min–1

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

/
What statement about X-rays and ultraviolet radiation is correct?

A.  X-rays travel faster in a vacuum than ultraviolet waves.

B.  X-rays have a higher frequency than ultraviolet waves.

C.  X-rays cannot be diffracted unlike ultraviolet waves.

D.  Microwaves lie between X-rays and ultraviolet in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

third harmonic frequency of pipe

A pipe of fixed length is closed at one end. What is  first harmonic frequency of pipe
?

1
A.  5
1
B.  3

C. 3

D. 5

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

4 3
The refractive index for light travelling from medium X to medium Y is 3
. The refractive index for light travelling from medium Y to medium Z is 5
.

What is the refractive index for light travelling from medium X to medium Z?

4
A.  5
15
B.  12
5
C.  4
29
D.  15

Markscheme /
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

A body undergoes one oscillation of simple harmonic motion (shm). What is correct for the direction of the acceleration of the body and the direction

of its velocity? 

A. Always opposite 
B. Opposite for half a period 
C. Opposite for a quarter of a period 
D. Never opposite

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

The diagram shows an interference pattern produced by two sources that oscillate on the surface of a liquid.

                                      

Which of the distances shown in the diagram corresponds to one fringe width of the interference pattern?

Markscheme
C

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Examiners report
[N/A]

Two sound waves from a point source on the ground travel through the ground to a detector. The speed of one wave is 7.5 km s–1, the speed of the

other wave is 5.0 km s–1. The waves arrive at the detector 15 s apart. What is the distance from the point source to the detector?

A.     38 km

B.     45 km

C.     113 km

D.     225 km

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

A pair of slits in a double slit experiment are illuminated with monochromatic light of wavelength 480 nm. The slits are separated by 1.0 mm. What is

the separation of the fringes when observed at a distance of 2.0 m from the slits?

A.     2.4 × 10–4 mm

B.     9.6 × 10–4 mm

C.     2.4 × 10–1 mm

D.     9.6 × 10–1 mm

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

What is true about the acceleration of a particle that is oscillating with simple harmonic motion (SHM)?

A.     It is in the opposite direction to its velocity

B.     It is decreasing when the potential energy is increasing /

C.     It is proportional to the frequency of the oscillation

D.     It is at a minimum when the velocity is at a maximum

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

A ray of light is incident on a boundary between glass and air.

Which of the following is the refractive index of glass?

sin θ1
A.    
sin θ3

sin θ1
B.     sin θ4

sin θ3
C.     sin θ2

sin θ4
D.     sin θ1

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
It was disappointing to see the number of students who incorrectly selected B. This would suggest that they were applying the formula without

consideration to the situation. As μ > 1 , and as θ4 > θ1 , the correct answer must be D. It may be advisable to teach Snell’s Law by referring to ‘big’

and ‘small’ angles rather than to angles of incidence and refraction.

A system that is subject to a restoring force oscillates about an equilibrium position.

For the motion to be simple harmonic, the restoring force must be proportional to

A.     the amplitude of the oscillation. /

B.     the displacement from the equilibrium position.

C.     the potential energy of the system.

D.     the period of the oscillation.

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

What are the changes in the speed and in the wavelength of monochromatic light when the light passes from water to air?

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

A sound wave has a wavelength of 0.20 m. What is the phase difference between two points along the wave which are 0.85 m apart?

A.     zero

B.     45°

C.     90°

D.     180°

Markscheme
C

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Examiners report
[N/A]

Monochromatic light travels from air into water. Which of the following describes the changes in wavelength and speed?

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

One end of a horizontal string is fixed to a wall. A transverse pulse moves along the string as shown.

Which of the following statements are correct for the reflected pulse compared to the forward pulse?

I.     It moves more slowly.

II.     It has less energy.

III.     It is inverted.

A.     I and II only

B.     I and III only

C.     II and III only

D.     I, II and III

Markscheme
C

/
Examiners report
A surprising number of candidates chose D, perhaps thinking that if it has less energy then it must necessarily be going slower. The energy of a wave,

however, is a function of its amplitude – not its velocity.

If the wall had been rigid then ‘III only’ would have been a correct response, but as this was not available, C is the only possibility and we must
assume the wall is not rigid.

A first-harmonic standing wave is formed on a vertical string of length 3.0 m using a vibration generator. The boundary conditions for this string are

that it is fixed at one boundary and free at the other boundary.

                                          

The generator vibrates at a frequency of 300 Hz.

What is the speed of the wave on the string?

A.     0.90 km s–1

B.     1.2 km s–1

C.     1.8 km s–1

D.     3.6 km s–1 

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

Two wave pulses, each of amplitude A, approach each other. They then superpose before continuing in their original directions. What is the total

amplitude during superposition and the amplitudes of the individual pulses after superposition?

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Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

The graph shows the variation with distance x of the displacement of the particles of a medium in which a longitudinal wave is travelling from left to

right. Displacements to the right of equilibrium positions are positive.

Which point is at the centre of a compression?

A.  x = 0

B.  x = 1 m

C.  x = 2 m
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D.  x = 3 m

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

The graph shows how the velocity v of an object undergoing simple harmonic motion varies with time t for one complete period of oscillation.

Which of the following sketch graphs best shows how the total energy E of the object varies with t?

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

/
A high solid wall separates two gardens X and Y. Music from a loudspeaker in X can be heard in Y even though X cannot be seen from Y. The music

can be heard in Y due to

A. absorption.

B. diffraction.

C. reflection.

D. refraction.

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

What region of the electromagnetic spectrum includes waves of wavelength 5 ×10–8 m?

A. X-ray

B. Ultraviolet

C. Infrared

D. Microwave

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
The majority of candidates answered this question correctly. Candidates are expected to

recall the orders of magnitude of the wavelengths of the principal radiations in the

electromagnetic spectrum, as stipulated by the Guide. It can be argued that a more distinct

wavelength could have been chosen so as to avoid possible confusion with the area between

“soft” X-rays and UV but the statistics of the question do not indicate that candidates were

upset by this choice.

/
An object performs simple harmonic motion (SHM) about a central point. The object has velocity v and acceleration a when it has displacement x from

the point.

Which ratio is constant?

x
A. a

x
B. v

2
x
C. a

v
D. a

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

A pendulum swings back and forth in a circular arc between X and Y.

The pendulum bob is

A. always in equilibrium.
B. only in equilibrium at X and Y.
C. in equilibrium as it passes through the central position.
D. never in equilibrium.

Markscheme
D

Examiners report /
In this question the majority of candidates thought, incorrectly, that the ball would be in equilibrium at the central position when the string is vertical.

The ball is obviously not in equilibrium since it is moving on a circular arc and so at the vertical position there must be a net force directed towards the

center of the arc and so there cannot be equilibrium.

The graph shows the variation with time t of the velocity v of an object undergoing simple harmonic motion (SHM). At which velocity does the

displacement from the mean position take a maximum positive value?

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

Light of wavelength 600 nm travels from air to glass at normal incidence. The refractive index of the glass is 1.5. The speed of light in air is c. Which of

the following correctly identifies the speed of the waves and their wavelength in the glass?

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Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

A spring XY lies on a frictionless table with the end Y free.

A horizontal pulse travels along the spring from X to Y.  What happens when the pulse reaches Y? 

A. The pulse will be reflected towards X and inverted. 

B. The pulse will be reflected towards X and not be inverted. 
C. Y will move and the pulse will disappear. 
D. Y will not move and the pulse will disappear.

Markscheme
B

Examiners report /
[N/A]

What is the best estimate for the refractive index of a medium in which light travels at a speed of 2.7 × 108  m s−1 ?

A.     0.9

B.     1.0

C.     1.1

D.     2.7

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

A ray of light travels from a vacuum into glass as shown below.

In glass, light has speed v. In a vacuum, light has speed c. Which of the following gives the refractive index of glass?
c
A. v

v
B. c

sin c
C. sin v

sin v
D. sin c

Markscheme
A

/
Examiners report
[N/A]

A transverse wave travels from left to right. The diagram below shows how, at a particular instant of time, the displacement of particles in the medium

varies with position. Which arrow represents the direction of the velocity of the particle marked P?

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

Two pulses are travelling towards each other.

What is a possible pulse shape when the pulses overlap?

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Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

A beam of unpolarized light is incident on the first of two parallel polarizers. The transmission axes of the two polarizers are initially parallel.

The first polarizer is now rotated about the direction of the incident beam by an angle smaller than 90°. Which gives the changes, if any, in the intensity
and polarization of the transmitted light?

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Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

A light ray is incident on an air–diamond boundary. The refractive index of diamond is greater than 1. Which diagram shows the correct path of the

light ray?

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

Unpolarized light of intensity I0 is incident on the first of two polarizing sheets. Initially the planes of polarization of the sheets are perpendicular.

I0
Which sheet must be rotated and by what angle so that light of intensity 4
can emerge from the second sheet?

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Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

Which of the following electromagnetic waves has a frequency greater than that of visible light?

A. Ultraviolet
B. Radio
C. Microwaves
D. Infrared

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

A light ray passes from air to water as shown.

/
 

What are the change in the wavelength of the light wave and the change in the angle the ray makes with the normal to the surface?

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

A particle undergoes simple harmonic motion (SHM). The graph shows the variation of velocity v of the particle with time t.

What is the variation with time of the acceleration a of the particle?

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Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

A particle oscillates with simple harmonic motion (shm) of period T. Which graph shows the variation with time of the kinetic energy of the particle?

Markscheme
D

/
Examiners report
[N/A]

Light travels from air into glass as shown below.

What is the refractive index of glass?

sin P
A. sin S

sin Q
B. sin R

sin P
C. sin R

sin Q
D. sin S

Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

When a sound wave travels from a region of hot air to a region of cold air, it refracts as shown.

/
What changes occur in the frequency and wavelength of the sound as it passes from the hot air to the cold air?

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

Wave generators placed at position P and position Q produce water waves of wavelength 4.0 cm. Each generator, operating alone, produces a wave

oscillating with amplitude A at position R. Distances PR and QR are shown in the diagram below.

/
Both wave generators now operate together in phase. What is the amplitude of the oscillation of the resulting wave at R?

A. 0

B. A

C. A2

D. 2A

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

Two wave pulses move towards each other as shown in the diagram.

/
Which diagram shows a possible combination of the two pulses after a short time?

/
Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

The diagram shows the variation of velocity v with time t for an object performing simple harmonic motion.

Which of the following shows how the acceleration a varies with t?

/
Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

A wave of period 5.0m s travels through a medium. The graph shows the variation with distance d of the displacement x of points in the medium.

What is the average speed of a point in the medium during one full oscillation?

A. 0m s–1
B. 4.0m s–1
C. 16m s–1
D. 400m s–1

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
This was an unusual question, and it was disappointing that candidates did not naturally calculate ‘average speed’ as total distance divided by time taken.

Which of the following correctly describes the direction of a ray drawn relative to a wavefront for longitudinal and transverse waves?
/
Markscheme
D

Examiners report
It was clear from paper 2 that candidates had no real grasp of the physical meaning of the different ways of representing a wave. They are comprised

of oscillating particles, but can be represented either as ray, or as a series of wave fronts or graphically. It appears that this area of the syllabus is not

being rigorously taught.

Two wave pulses travel along a string towards each other. The diagram shows their positions at a moment in time.

Which of the following shows a possible configuration of the pulses at a later time?

/
 

Markscheme
C

Examiners report
 

Which graph shows the variation with amplitude A of the intensity I for a wave?

/
Markscheme
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

The graph shows how the displacement varies with time for an object undergoing simple harmonic motion.

Which graph shows how the object’s acceleration a varies with time t?

/
Markscheme
D

Examiners report
[N/A]

Two loudspeakers, L1 and L2, emit identical sound waves.

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The waves leaving L1 and L2 are in phase and are observed at points P and Q.

The wavelength of the sound is 0.60 m. The distances of points P and Q from the loudspeakers are shown in the diagram.

Which of the following is true about the intensity of the sound at P and the intensity of the sound at Q?

Markscheme
B

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Examiners report

The graph shows measurements of the height h of sea level at different times t in the Bay of Fundy.

Which of the following gives the approximate amplitude and period of the tides?

/
Markscheme
C

Examiners report
 

A wave pulse is travelling along a dense thick rope which is connected to a less dense thin rope.

Which of the following is correct regarding the reflected and transmitted wave pulses after the wave pulse reaches the connection of the two ropes?

/
Markscheme
D

Examiners report
This was indeed an unusual question, although perfectly fair as a test of 4.5.1. Most candidates did not realize that a wave, in reflecting off the
boundary of a less dense medium, will not undergo any phase change. Hence the pulse will not be inverted – the opposite of what happens if the
reflection is off a denser medium.

Which of the following correctly relates the direction of oscillation of the particles in a medium to the direction of energy propagation for transverse

and longitudinal waves?

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Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

A water wave moves on the surface of a lake. P and Q are two points on the water surface. The wave is traveling towards the right.

The diagram shows the wave at time t = 0. Which graph shows how the displacements of P and Q vary with t?

/
Markscheme
C

Examiners report
[N/A]

The speed of a wave in medium X is greater than the speed of the wave in medium Y. Which diagram shows the correct refraction of the wavefronts at

the boundary between X and Y?

/
Markscheme
B

Examiners report
There was a very even spread of responses to this question, albeit with a good discrimination index. We can only assume that the candidates did not read the

question carefully as it is basic knowledge that a ray bends towards the normal when entering a denser medium. The slowing down of the wavespeed results in

a reduction of wavelength as illustrated in B.

Candidates must be taught to illustrate wave behaviour with both wave diagrams and ray diagrams.

Horizontally polarized light of intensity I0 enters a polarizer P whose polarization axis makes an angle of θ degrees with the horizontal. Light from P is

then incident on a polarizer A with fixed vertical polarization axis.

/
The angle θ is varied from 0 to 90 degrees. Which of the following represents the variation with θ of the intensity I of the light transmitted through A?

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
/
[N/A]

A water wave entering a harbour passes suddenly from deep to shallow water. In deep water, the wave has frequency ƒ1 and speed v1. In shallow

water, the wave has frequency ƒ2 and speed v2.

Which of the following compares the frequencies and speeds of the wave between deep water and shallow water?

Markscheme /
A

Examiners report
[N/A]

The diagram shows, at a particular instant in time, part of a rope along which a wave is travelling.

The wave is travelling from left to right.

Which arrow shows the direction of motion of the rope at the point shown?

A. W

B. X

C. Y

D. Z

Markscheme
B

Examiners report
[N/A]

/
A body undergoes simple harmonic motion. Which graph correctly shows the variation with displacement x of the velocity v of the body?

Markscheme
A

Examiners report
Sinusoidal graphs are only generated in SHM when time is on the x-axis. Hence B and C are incorrect. D should be well-known to the candidates as the

definition of SHM, but can be ruled out as it shows zero v when x = 0. Hence, by elimination, it must be A.