1 The diagram shows an experiment which has been set up to demonstrate two-source interference,
using microwaves of wavelength λ. 9702/1/M/J/02/Q28

S1
O
S2
microwave microwave
transmitter metal plate detector
with two slits

The detector is moved from O in the direction of the arrow. The signal detected decreases until the
detector reaches the point X, and then starts to increase again as the detector moves beyond X.

Which equation correctly determines the position of X?

A OX = λ/2 B OX = λ C S2X – S1X = λ/2 D S2X – S1X = λ

2 Two progressive waves of frequency 300 Hz are superimposed to produce a stationary wave in
which adjacent nodes are 1.5 m apart. 9702/1/M/J/02/29

What is the speed of the progressive waves?

A 1 0 0 m s –1 B 200 m s–1 C 450 m s–1 D 900 m s–1

3 Coherent monochromatic light illuminates two narrow parallel slits and the interference pattern
that results is observed on a screen some distance beyond the slits. 9702/1/O/N/02/Q28

Which change increases the separation between the dark lines of the interference pattern?

A using monochromatic light of higher frequency

B using monochromatic light of a longer wavelength
C decreasing the distance between the screen and the slits
D increasing the distance between the slits

4 Monochromatic light of wavelength 590 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating. The angle
between the two second-order diffracted beams is 43°. 9702/1/O/N/02/Q29

What is the spacing of the lines on the grating?

A 0.87 μm B 1.6 μm C 1.7 μm D 3.2 μm

Superposition
 

5 The graph represents a stationary wave at two different times. 9702/01/M/J/03/Q24

displacement

X Y
distance along
the wave

What does the distance XY represent?

A half the amplitude

B half the frequency
C half the period
D half the wavelength

6 A diffraction grating is used to measure the wavelength of monochromatic light, as shown in the
diagram. 9702/01/M/J/03/Q28

grating

monochromatic 70.0°
light

The spacing of the slits in the grating is 1.00 x 10–6 m. The angle between the first order diffraction
maxima is 70.0°.

What is the wavelength of the light?

A 287 nm B 470 nm C 574 nm D 940 nm

7 When the light from two lamps falls on a screen, no interference pattern can be obtained.
9702/01/M/J/03/Q27

Why is this?

A The lamps are not point sources.

B The lamps emit light of different amplitudes.
C The light from the lamps is not coherent.
D The light from the lamps is white.

Superposition
 
8 A stationary sound wave has a series of nodes. The distance between the first and the sixth node
is 30.0 c m . 9702/01/O/N/03/Q24

What is the wavelength of the sound wave?

A 5.0 cm B 6.0 cm C 10.0 cm D 12.0 cm

9 Which of the following may be used to produce stationary waves? 9702/01/O/N/03/Q26

A blowing air over the top of an empty bottle

B making a loud sound near a mountain
C passing monochromatic light through a double slit
D passing water waves through a narrow slit

10 In an interference experiment, two slits are illuminated with white light. 9702/01/O/N/03/Q27

white light
source

slits screen

What is seen on the screen?

A The central fringe is black with black and white fringes on each side.
B The central fringe is black with coloured fringes on each side.
C The central fringe is white with black and white fringes on each side.
D The central fringe is white with coloured fringes on each side.

11 Microwaves of wavelength 3.00 cm are incident normally on a row of parallel metal rods. The
separation of the rods is 8.00 cm. The first order diffraction maximum is observed at an angle of
22.0° to the direction of the incident waves. 9702/01/O/N/03/Q28

What is the angle between the first and second order diffraction maxima?

A 22.0° B 26.6° C 44.0° D 48.6°

12 The lines of a diffraction grating have a spacing of 1.6 x 10–6 m. A beam of light is incident
normally on the grating. The first order maximum makes an angle of 20 o with the undeviated
beam. 9702/01/M/J/04/Q28

What is the wavelength of the incident light?

A 210 nm B 270 nm C 420 nm D 550 nm

Superposition
 
13 The diagram represents a stationary wave on a stretched string. 9702/01/O/N/04/Q27

What is represented by point P and by the length x?

point P length x

A antinode one wavelength

B antinode two wavelengths
C node one wavelength
D node two wavelengths

14 Fringes of separation y are observed on a screen 1.00 m from a Young’s slit arrangement that is
illuminated by yellow light of wavelength 600 nm. 9702/01/O/N/04/Q28

At which distance from the slits would fringes of the same separation y be observed when using
blue light of wavelength 400 nm?

A 0.33 m B 0.67 m C 0.75 m D 1.50 m

15 T is a microwave transmitter placed at a fixed distance from a flat reflecting surface S.

9702/01/M/J/05/Q27
S

A small microwave receiver is moved steadily from T towards S and receives signals of alternate
maxima and minima of intensity.

The distance between successive maxima is 15 mm.

What is the frequency of the microwaves?

A 1.0 x 107 Hz
B 2.0 x 107 Hz
C 1.0 x 1010 Hz
D 2.0 x 1010 Hz

16 A narrow beam of monochromatic light is incident normally on a diffraction grating. Third-order

diffracted beams are formed at angles of 45 o to the original direction. 9702/01/O/N/07/Q25

What is the highest order of diffracted beam produced by this grating?

A 3rd B 4th C 5th D 6th

Superposition
 

17 A sound wave is set up in a long tube, closed at one end. The length of the tube is adjusted until
the sound from the tube is loudest. 9702/01/M/J/05/Q26

What is the nature of the sound wave in the tube?

A longitudinal and progressive

B longitudinal and stationary
C transverse and progressive
D transverse and stationary

18 A teacher sets up the apparatus shown to demonstrate a two-slit interference pattern on the
screen. 9702/01/M/J/05/Q28

double screen
single
slit
slit

source
of light q

p r

Which change to the apparatus will increase the fringe spacing?

A decreasing the distance p

B decreasing the distance q
C decreasing the distance r
D decreasing the wavelength of the light

19 A parallel beam of white light is incident normally on a diffraction grating. It is noted that the
second-order and third-order spectra partially overlap. 9702/01/M/J/05/Q29

Which wavelength in the third-order spectrum appears at the same angle as the wavelength of
600 nm in the second-order spectrum?

A 300 nm B 400 nm C 600 nm D 900 nm

20 Light of wavelength 700 nm is incident on a pair of slits, forming fringes 3.0 mm apart on a screen.

What is the fringe spacing when light of wavelength 350 nm is used and the slit separation is
doubled? 9702/01/O/N/05/Q28

A 0.75 mm B 1.5 mm C 3.0 mm D 6.0 mm

Superposition
 
21 The graph represents a standing wave at two different times. 9702/01/O/N/05/Q26

displacement

X Y
distance along
the wave

What does the distance XY represent?

A half the amplitude

B half the frequency
C half the period
D half the wavelength

22 In which situation does diffraction occur? 9702/01/O/N/05/Q27

A A wave bounces back from a surface.

B A wave passes from one medium into another.
C A wave passes through an aperture.
D Waves from two identical sources are superposed.

23 Where, in a standing wave, do the vibrations of the medium occur? 9702/01/M/J/06/Q26

A only at the nodes

B only at the antinodes
C at all points between the nodes
D at all points between the antinodes

24 Monochromatic light is incident on a diffraction grating and a diffraction pattern is observed.

Which line of the table gives the effect of replacing the grating with one that has more lines per
metre? 9702/01/M/J/06/Q27

number of orders of angle between first and

diffraction visible second orders of diffraction

A decreases decreases
B decreases increases
C increases decreases
D increases increases

Superposition
 

25 A double-slit interference experiment is set up as shown. 9702/01/M/J/06/Q28

*
red
light
source
single double screen
slit slit
not to scale

Fringes are formed on the screen. The distance between successive bright fringes is found to be
4 mm.

Two changes are then made to the experimental arrangement. The double slit is replaced by
another double slit which has half the spacing. The screen is moved so that its distance from the
double slit is twice as great.

What is now the distance between successive bright fringes?

A 1 mm B 4 mm C 8 mm D 16 mm

26 Continuous water waves are diffracted through a gap in a barrier in a ripple tank. 9702/01/O/N/06/Q26

Which change will cause the diffraction of the waves to increase?

A increasing the frequency of the waves

B increasing the width of the gap
C reducing the wavelength of the waves
D reducing the width of the gap

27 The interference patterns from a diffraction grating and a double slit are compared. 9702/01/O/N/06/Q27

Using the diffraction grating, yellow light of the first order is seen at 30° to the normal to the
grating.

The same light produces interference fringes on a screen 1.0 m from the double slit. The slit
separation is 500 times greater than the line spacing of the grating.

What is the fringe separation on the screen?

A 2.5 × 10–7 m

B 1.0 × 10–5 m

C 1.0 × 10–3 m

D 1.0 × 10–1 m

Superposition
 
28 What may be used to produce stationary waves? 9702/01/O/N/06/Q28

A blowing air over the top of an empty bottle

B making a loud sound near a mountain
C passing monochromatic light through a double slit
D passing water waves through a narrow slit

29 The diagram represents a stationary wave on a stretched string. 9702/01/M/J/07/Q25

What is represented by point P and by the length x?

point P length x

A antinode one wavelength

B antinode two wavelengths
C node one wavelength
D node two wavelengths

30 A two-slit arrangement is set up to produce interference fringes on a screen. The fringes are too
close together for convenient observation when a monochromatic source of violet light is used.
9702/01/M/J/07/Q26
In which way would it be possible to increase the separation of the fringes?

A Decrease the distance between the screen and the slits.

B Increase the distance between the two slits.
C Increase the width of each slit.
D Use a monochromatic source of red light.

31 Monochromatic light illuminates two narrow parallel slits. The interference pattern which results is
observed on a screen some distance beyond the slits. 9702/01/O/N/07/Q24

Which change increases the separation between the dark lines of the interference pattern?

A decreasing the distance between the screen and the slits

B increasing the distance between the slits
C using monochromatic light of higher frequency
D using monochromatic light of longer wavelength

Superposition
 
32 A stationary longitudinal wave is set up in a pipe. 9702/01/M/J/07/Q27

In the diagrams below, the length of each arrow represents the amplitude of the motion of the air
molecules, and the arrow head shows the direction of motion at a particular instant.

Which diagram shows a stationary wave in which there are two nodes and two antinodes?

A B C D

33 Sound waves, emitted by a small loudspeaker, are reflected by a wall. 9702/01/M/J/08/Q27

The frequency f of the waves is adjusted until a stationary wave is formed with the antinode
nearest the wall at a distance x from the wall.

Which expression gives f in terms of x and the speed of sound c?

4 c c
A f= c B f = 2c C f= D f=
x x 2x 4x

34 A diffraction grating hasN lines per unit length and is placed at 90° to monochromatic light of
wavelength λ. 9702/01/M/J/08/Q28

What is the expression for θ, the angle to the normal to the grating at which the third order
diffraction peak is observed?

A sin θ = 1 B sin θ = 3N λ C sin θ = Nλ D sin θ = 3λ

3 Nλ 3 N

35 Light of wavelength 700 nm is incident on a pair of slits, forming fringes 3.0 mm apart on a screen.

What is the fringe spacing when light of wavelength 350 nm is used and the slit separation is
doubled? 9702/01/M/J/08/Q29

A 0.75 mm B 1.5 mm C 3.0 mm D 6.0 mm

Superposition
 

36 T is a microwave transmitter placed at a fixed distance from a flat reflecting surface S.

9702/01/O/N/08/Q27
S

A small microwave receiver is moved from T towards S and receives signals of alternate maxima
and minima of intensity.

The distance between one maximum and the next is 15 mm.

What is the frequency of the microwaves?

A 1.0 × 107 Hz

B 2.0 × 107 Hz

C 1.0 × 1010 Hz

D 2.0 × 1010 Hz

37 The diagram shows two loudspeakers producing sound waves that are in phase. 9702/01/O/N/08/Q28

loud

quiet

L
d loud

quiet
loudspeakers
loud

As a student moves from X to Y, the intensity of the note she hears is alternately loud and quiet.

The distance between adjacent loud and quiet regions may be reduced by

A decreasing distance d.
B increasing distance L.
C decreasing the amplitude.
D increasing the frequency.

Superposition
 
38 Diffraction is the name given to the 9702/01/M/J/09/Q22

A addition of two coherent waves to produce a stationary wave pattern.

B bending of waves round an obstacle.
C change of direction when waves cross the boundary between one medium and another.
D splitting of white light into colours.

39 The diagram represents the pattern of stationary waves formed by the superposition of sound
waves from a loudspeaker and their reflection from a metal sheet (not shown). 9702/01/M/J/09/Q24

W X Y Z

W, X, Y and Z are four points on the line through the centre of these waves.

Which statement about these stationary waves is correct?

A An antinode is formed at the surface of the metal sheet.

B A node is a quarter of a wavelength from an adjacent antinode.
C The oscillations at X are in phase with those at Y.
D The stationary waves oscillate at right angles to the line WZ.

40 A diffraction grating with N lines per metre is used to deflect light of various wavelengths λ.

The diagram shows a relation between the deflection angles θ for different values of λ in the
n th order interference pattern. 9702/01/M/J/09/Q25

sin θ

0
0 λ
What is the gradient of the graph?

N n 1
A Nn B C D
n N Nn

41 A parallel beam of light of wavelength 450 nm falls normally on a diffraction grating which has
300 lines / mm. 9702/11/O/N/09/Q26

What is the total number of transmitted maxima?

A 7 B 8 C 14 D 15

Superposition
 

42 A stationary wave of frequency 80.0 Hz is set up on a stretched string of length 210 cm.
9702/01/M/J/09/Q26

210 cm

What is the speed of the waves that produce this stationary wave?

A 56.0 m s–1 B 112 m s–1 C 5600 m s–1 D 11 200 m s–1

43 The diagram shows a standing wave on a string. The standing wave has three nodes N1, N2 and
N3. 9702/11/O/N/09/Q25

N1 N2 N3

Which statement is correct?

A All points on the string vibrate in phase.

B All points on the string vibrate with the same amplitude.
C Points equidistant from N2 vibrate with the same frequency and in phase.
D Points equidistant from N2 vibrate with the same frequency and the same amplitude.

44 The diagram shows a standing wave on a string. The standing wave has three nodes N1, N2
and N3. 9702/12/O/N/09/Q24

N1 N2 N3

Which statement is correct?

A All points on the string vibrate in phase.

B All points on the string vibrate with the same amplitude.
C Points equidistant from N2 vibrate with the same frequency and in phase.
D Points equidistant from N2 vibrate with the same frequency and the same amplitude.

45 A parallel beam of light of wavelength 450 nm falls normally on a diffraction grating which has
300 lines / mm. 9702/12/O/N/09/Q25

What is the total number of transmitted maxima?

A 7 B 8 C 14 D 15

Superposition
 

46 Using monochromatic light, interference fringes are produced on a screen placed a distance D
from a pair of slits of separation a. The separation of the fringes is x. 9702/11/M/J/10/Q23

Both a and D are now doubled.

What is the new fringe separation?

A x B x C 2x D 4x
2

47 Diagram 1 shows a ripple tank experiment in which plane waves are diffracted through a narrow
slit in a metal sheet. 9702/11/M/J/10/Q24

Diagram 2 shows the same tank with a slit of greater width.

In each case, the pattern of the waves incident on the slit and the emergent pattern are shown.

vibrating vibrating
bar bar

diagram 1 diagram 2

Which action would cause the waves in diagram 1 to be diffracted less and so produce an
emergent pattern closer to that shown in diagram 2?

A increasing the frequency of vibration of the bar

B increasing the speed of the waves by making the water in the tank deeper
C reducing the amplitude of vibration of the bar
D reducing the length of the vibrating bar

48 Electromagnetic waves from an unknown source in space were found to be significantly diffracted
when passing through gaps of the order of 10–5 m. 9702/12/M/J/10/Q24

Which type of wave are they most likely to be?

A radio waves
B microwaves
C infra-red waves
D ultraviolet waves

Superposition
 
49 The diagram shows a steel wire clamped at one end and tensioned at the other by a weight hung
over a pulley. 9702/11/M/J/10/Q25

weight

fixed stand vibration fixed support

generator

A vibration generator is attached to the wire near the clamped end. A stationary wave with one
loop is produced. The frequency of the vibration generator is f.

Which frequency should be used to produce a stationary wave with two loops?

A f B f C 2f D 4f
4 2

50 The diagram shows a steel wire clamped at one end and tensioned at the other by a weight hung
over a pulley. 9702/12/M/J/10/Q22

weight

fixed stand vibration fixed support

generator

A vibration generator is attached to the wire near the clamped end. A stationary wave with one
loop is produced. The frequency of the vibration generator is f.

Which frequency should be used to produce a stationary wave with two loops?

A f B f C 2f D 4f
4 2

51 Using monochromatic light, interference fringes are produced on a screen placed a distance D
from a pair of slits of separation a. The separation of the fringes is x. 9702/12/M/J/10/Q25

Both a and D are now doubled.

What is the new fringe separation?

A x B x C 2x D 4x
2

Superposition
 
52 Diagram 1 shows a ripple tank experiment in which plane waves are diffracted through a narrow
slit in a metal sheet. 9702/12/M/J/10/Q23

Diagram 2 shows the same tank with a slit of greater width.

In each case, the pattern of the waves incident on the slit and the emergent pattern are shown.

vibrating vibrating
bar bar

diagram 1 diagram 2

Which action would cause the waves in diagram 1 to be diffracted less and so produce an
emergent pattern closer to that shown in diagram 2?

A increasing the frequency of vibration of the bar

B increasing the speed of the waves by making the water in the tank deeper
C reducing the amplitude of vibration of the bar
D reducing the length of the vibrating bar

53 The diagram shows a steel wire clamped at one end and tensioned at the other by a weight hung
over a pulley. 9702/13/M/J/10/Q24

weight

fixed stand vibration fixed support

generator

A vibration generator is attached to the wire near the clamped end. A stationary wave with one
loop is produced. The frequency of the vibration generator is f.

Which frequency should be used to produce a stationary wave with two loops?

A f B f C 2f D 4f
4 2

Superposition
 
54 Electromagnetic waves from an unknown source in space were found to be significantly diffracted
when passing through gaps of the order of 10–5 m. 9702/13/M/J/10/Q23

Which type of wave are they most likely to be?

A radio waves
B microwaves
C infra-red waves
D ultraviolet waves

55 Diagram 1 shows a ripple tank experiment in which plane waves are diffracted through a narrow
slit in a metal sheet. 9702/13/M/J/10/Q25

Diagram 2 shows the same tank with a slit of greater width.

In each case, the pattern of the waves incident on the slit and the emergent pattern are shown.

vibrating vibrating
bar bar

diagram 1 diagram 2

Which action would cause the waves in diagram 1 to be diffracted less and so produce an
emergent pattern closer to that shown in diagram 2?

A increasing the frequency of vibration of the bar

B increasing the speed of the waves by making the water in the tank deeper
C reducing the amplitude of vibration of the bar
D reducing the length of the vibrating bar

56 Which electromagnetic wave would cause the most significant diffraction effect for an atomic
lattice of spacing around 10–10 m? 9702/11/O/N/10/Q27

A infra-red
B microwave
C ultraviolet
D X-ray

Superposition
 

57 A stationary wave is produced by two loudspeakers emitting sound of the same frequency.
9702/11/O/N/10/Q26

X Y
speaker speaker
1 2
1.5 m

When a microphone is moved between X and Y, a distance of 1.5 m, six nodes and seven
antinodes are detected.

What is the wavelength of the sound?

A 0.50 m B 0.43 m C 0.25 m D 0.21 m

58 The diagram shows two tubes. 9702/12/O/N/10/Q25

tube X tube Y
The tubes are identical except tube X is closed at its lower end while tube Y is open at its lower
end. Both tubes have open upper ends.

A tuning fork placed above tube X causes resonance of the air at frequency f. No resonance is
found at any lower frequency than f with tube X.

Which tuning fork will produce resonance when placed just above tube Y?
f
A a fork of frequency
2
2f
B a fork of frequency
3
C a fork of frequency 3f
2
D a fork of frequency 2f

59 Which electromagnetic wave phenomenon is needed to explain the spectrum produced when
white light falls on a diffraction grating? 9702/11/M/J/11/Q26

A coherence
B interference
C polarisation
D refraction

Superposition
 
60 A microwave transmitter emits waves towards a metal plate. The waves strike the plate and are
reflected back along their original path. 9702/12/O/N/10/Q26

incident
waves

T S R Q P
reflected
waves
metal plate
A microwave detector is moved along the line PT.

Points P, Q, R, S and T are the positions where minima of intensity are observed. These points
are found to be 15 mm apart.

What is the frequency of the microwaves?

A 5.0 GHz B 6.7 GHz C 10 GHz D 20 GHz

61 A double slit experiment, using light of wavelength 600 nm, results in fringes being produced on a
screen. The fringe separation is found to be 1.0 mm. 9702/12/O/N/10/Q27

When the distance between the double slits and the viewing screen is increased by 2.0 m, the
fringe separation increases to 3.0 mm.

What is the separation of the double slits producing the fringes?

A 0.4 mm B 0.6 mm C 0.9 mm D 1.2 mm

62 A stationary wave is produced by two loudspeakers emitting sound of the same frequency.
9702/13/O/N/10/Q23

X Y
speaker speaker
1 2
1.5 m

When a microphone is moved between X and Y, a distance of 1.5 m, six nodes and seven
antinodes are detected.

What is the wavelength of the sound?

A 0.50 m B 0.43 m C 0.25 m D 0.21 m

63 Which electromagnetic wave would cause the most significant diffraction effect for an atomic
lattice of spacing around 10–10 m? 9702/13/O/N/10/Q26

A infra-red
B microwave
C ultraviolet
D X-ray

Superposition
 
64 The basic principle of note production in a horn is to set up a stationary wave in an air column.
9702/11/M/J/11/Q25
mouthpiece bell

horn

For the lowest note produced by a horn, a node is formed at the mouthpiece and the antinode is
formed at the bell. The frequency of this note is 75 Hz.

What are the frequencies of the next two higher notes for this air column?

first higher note second higher note

/ Hz / Hz

A 113 150
B 150 225
C 150 300
D 225 375

65 The diagrams show the arrangement of apparatus for a Young’s slits experiment and also part of
the pattern formed on the screen with a ruler placed next to it. 9702/12/M/J/11/Q29

screen

laser
0.90 mm
light

5.0 m

dark
30 mm
bright

20 mm

What is the wavelength of the light?

A 4.8 × 10–7 m B 5.4 × 10–7 m C 3.2 × 10–6 m D 3.4 × 10–6 m

Superposition
 

66 Coherent waves are produced at P and at Q and travel outwards in all directions. The line RS is
halfway between P and Q and perpendicular to the line joining P and Q. The distance RS is much
greater than the distance PQ. 9702/11/O/N/11/Q30

P R Q

NOT TO
SCALE

X Y
S

Along which line, or lines, is an interference pattern observed?

A both RS and XY
B RS only
C XY only
D neither RS nor XY

67 A diffraction grating with 500 lines per mm is used to observe diffraction of monochromatic light of
wavelength 600 nm. 9702/13/M/J/11/Q26

The light is passed through a narrow slit and the grating is placed so that its lines are parallel to
the slit. Light passes through the slit and then the grating.

grating
X
slit

light
Y

An observer views the slit through the grating at different angles, moving his head from X parallel
to the grating, through Y, opposite the slit, to Z parallel to the grating on the opposite side.

How many images of the slit does he see?

A 3 B 4 C 6 D 7

Superposition
 
68 The basic principle of note production in a horn is to set up a stationary wave in an air column.
9702/13/M/J/11/Q27
mouthpiece bell

horn

For the lowest note produced by a horn, a node is formed at the mouthpiece and the antinode is
formed at the bell. The frequency of this note is 75 Hz.

What are the frequencies of the next two higher notes for this air column?

first higher note second higher note

/ Hz / Hz

A 113 150
B 150 225
C 150 300
D 225 375

69 Travelling waves of wavelength 20 cm are created in the air columns in a closed pipe P and an
open pipe Q. The lengths of the pipes are shown. 9702/11/O/N/11/Q29

P Q

35 cm 50 cm

In which pipe or pipes are stationary waves formed?

A P and Q
B P only
C Q only
D neither P nor Q

70 Two light sources produce visible interference fringes only in certain circumstances. 9702/12/O/N/11/Q28

Which condition enables visible interference fringes to be formed?

A using a white light source

B using incoherent sources
C using one light source which is polarised at right angles to light from the other source
D using sources from which the light does not overlap

Superposition
 

71 In which situation does diffraction occur? 9702/12/M/J/11/Q28

A A wave bounces back from a surface.

B A wave passes from one medium into another.
C A wave passes through an aperture.
D Waves from two identical sources are superposed.

72 Which electromagnetic wave phenomenon is needed to explain the spectrum produced when
white light falls on a diffraction grating? 9702/13/M/J/11/Q25

A coherence
B interference
C polarisation
D refraction

73 A sound wave is set up in a long tube, closed at one end. The length of the tube is adjusted until
the sound from the tube is loudest. 9702/12/O/N/11/Q27

What is the nature of the sound wave in the tube?

A longitudinal and progressive

B longitudinal and stationary
C transverse and progressive
D transverse and stationary

74 Travelling waves of wavelength 20 cm are created in the air columns in a closed pipe P and an
open pipe Q. The lengths of the pipes are shown. 9702/13/O/N/11/Q30

P Q

35 cm 50 cm

In which pipe or pipes are stationary waves formed?

A P and Q
B P only
C Q only
D neither P nor Q

Superposition
 

75 A monochromatic plane wave of speed c and wavelength λ is diffracted at a small aperture.

9702/12/M/J/12/Q29
The diagram illustrates successive wavefronts.

X
P

After what time will some portion of the wavefront XY reach point P?

A 3λ B 2λ C 3λ D 4λ
2c c c c

76 A diffraction grating is used to measure the wavelength of monochromatic light, as shown in the
diagram. 9702/11/M/J/12/Q30

grating

first order maximum

monochromatic 70.0°
light
first order maximum

The spacing of the slits in the grating is 1.00 × 10–6 m. The angle between the first order diffraction
maxima is 70.0 °.

What is the wavelength of the light?

A 287 nm B 470 nm C 574 nm D 940 nm

77 To produce a stationary wave, two waves must travel in opposite directions through the same
space. 9702/13/M/J/12/Q30

Which statement about the properties of the two waves must also be true?

A The waves must have equal frequency, but a different speed and wavelength.
B The waves must have equal speed, but a different wavelength and frequency.
C The waves must have equal speed, frequency and wavelength.
D The waves must have equal wavelength, but a different speed and frequency.

Superposition
 

78 A standing sound wave is set up between a loudspeaker and a wall. 9702/12/M/J/12/Q30

A microphone is connected to a cathode-ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.) and is moved along a line

directly between the loudspeaker and the wall. The amplitude of the trace on the c.r.o. rises to a
maximum at a position X, falls to a minimum and then rises once again to a maximum at a
position Y.

The distance between X and Y is 33 cm. The speed of sound in air is 330 m s–1.

Which diagram represents the c.r.o. trace of the sound received at X?

A B

time base 0.50 ms / cm 1 cm time base 0.50 ms / cm 1 cm

C D

time base 0.50 ms / cm 1 cm time base 0.50 ms / cm 1 cm

79 A diffraction grating is used to measure the wavelength of monochromatic light, as shown in the
diagram. 9702/13/M/J/12/Q28

grating

first order maximum

monochromatic 70.0°
light
first order maximum

The spacing of the slits in the grating is 1.00 × 10–6 m. The angle between the first order diffraction
maxima is 70.0 °.

What is the wavelength of the light?

A 287 nm B 470 nm C 574 nm D 940 nm

Superposition
 

80 Coherent waves are produced at P and at Q and travel outwards in all directions. The line RS is
halfway between P and Q and perpendicular to the line joining P and Q. The distance RS is much
greater than the distance PQ. 9702/13/O/N/11/Q29

P R Q

NOT TO
SCALE

X Y
S

Along which line, or lines, is an interference pattern observed?

A both RS and XY
B RS only
C XY only
D neither RS nor XY

81 To produce a stationary wave, two waves must travel in opposite directions through the same
space. 9702/11/M/J/12/Q29

Which statement about the properties of the two waves must also be true?

A The waves must have equal frequency, but a different speed and wavelength.
B The waves must have equal speed, but a different wavelength and frequency.
C The waves must have equal speed, frequency and wavelength.
D The waves must have equal wavelength, but a different speed and frequency.

82 A musical organ produces notes by blowing air into a set of pipes that are open at one end and
closed at the other. 9702/11/O/N/12/Q28

What is the lowest frequency of sound produced by a pipe of length 10 m?

(The speed of sound in the pipe is 320 m s–1.)

A 4 Hz B 8 Hz C 16 Hz D 32 Hz

Superposition
 

83 The diagram shows two identical loudspeakers driven in phase by a common audio-frequency
source. 9702/12/O/N/12/Q28

loud
identical
loudspeakers
quiet

d
a loud

quiet
audio-frequency
source loud

When a student moves along line XY, she notices that there are variations in the loudness of the
sound. The regions in which the sound is heard are alternately loud and quiet as indicated on the
diagram.

How may the distance between loud regions be reduced?

A decreasing the distance a between the speakers

B increasing distance d
C increasing the frequency of the audio-frequency source
D increasing the power output from the audio-frequency source

84 A horizontal glass tube, closed at one end, has a layer of dust laid inside it on its lower side.
Sound is emitted from a loudspeaker that is placed near the open end of the tube. 9702/12/O/N/12/Q29

The frequency of the sound is varied and, at one frequency, a stationary wave is formed inside
the tube so that the dust forms small heaps.

The distance between four heaps of dust is 30 cm.

glass tube

loudspeaker 30 cm

The speed of sound in the tube is 330 m s–1.

What is the frequency of the sound emitted by the loudspeaker?

A 1650 Hz B 2200 Hz C 3300 Hz D 6600 Hz

Superposition
 

85 Monochromatic light of wavelength 690 nm passes through a diffraction grating with 300 lines per
mm, producing a series of maxima on a screen. 9702/12/O/N/12/Q30

screen

diffraction
grating

What is the greatest number of maxima that can be observed?

A 4 B 5 C 8 D 9

86 Monochromatic light is directed at a diffraction grating as shown. 9702/11/O/N/12/Q29

Which diagram shows all the possible directions of the light, after passing through the grating,
that give maximum intensity?

A B C D

87 Diffraction can be observed when a wave passes an obstruction. The diffraction effect is greatest
when the wavelength and the obstruction are similar in size. 9702/13/O/N/12/Q28

For waves travelling through air, what is the combination of wave and obstruction that could best
demonstrate diffraction?

A microwaves passing a steel post

B radio waves passing a copper wire
C sound waves passing a human hair
D visible light waves passing a gate post

Superposition
 

88 The diagram shows an air-filled pipe open at both ends. The length of the pipe is 1.00 m and the
lower surface of the inside of the pipe is covered with a layer of fine sand. 9702/13/O/N/12/Q26

1.00 m

sand

When a source of sound of a single frequency is put near one end of the pipe, the air in the pipe
is found to resonate and a pattern in the sand shows that a standing wave containing three nodes
is formed within the pipe.

The speed of sound in air is 330 m s–1.

What is the frequency of the sound?

A 330 Hz B 495 Hz C 990 Hz D 1320 Hz

89 A stationary sound wave is formed in a measuring cylinder by blowing across the top, as shown.
9702/13/O/N/12/Q27

Which statement is correct?

A The fundamental frequency of the stationary wave decreases when some water is added to
the cylinder.
B The stationary wave in the cylinder is caused by the superposition of two waves moving in
opposite directions.
C The stationary wave in the cylinder is polarised.
D The stationary wave will have an antinode at the bottom of the cylinder.

90 A parallel beam of red light of wavelength 700 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating that
has 400 lines per millimetre. 9702/13/M/J/13/Q27

What is the total number of transmitted maxima?

A 3 B 4 C 6 D 7

Superposition
 

91 Monochromatic light of wavelength 5.30 × 10–7 m is incident normally on a diffraction grating. The
first order maximum is observed at an angle of 15.4° to the direction of the incident light.
9702/12/M/J/13/Q29
What is the angle between the first and second order diffraction maxima?

A 7.6° B 15.4° C 16.7° D 32.0°

92 A transmitter of electromagnetic waves is placed 45 cm from a reflective surface. 9702/12/M/J/13/Q27

reflective surface
transmitter

45 cm

The emitted waves have a frequency of 1.00 GHz. A stationary wave is produced with a node at
the transmitter and a node at the surface.

How many antinodes are in the space between the transmitter and the surface?

A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4

93 A teacher sets up the apparatus shown to demonstrate a two-slit interference pattern on the
screen. 9702/12/M/J/13/Q28

double screen
single
slit
slit

source
of light q

p r

Which change to the apparatus will increase the fringe spacing?

A decreasing the distance p

B decreasing the distance q
C decreasing the distance r
D decreasing the wavelength of the light

Superposition
 

94 The diagram shows a standing wave on a string. The standing wave has three nodes N1, N2 and
N3. 9702/13/M/J/13/Q28

N1 N2 N3

Which statement is correct?

A All points on the string vibrate in phase.

B All points on the string vibrate with the same amplitude.
C Points equidistant from N2 vibrate with the same frequency and in phase.
D Points equidistant from N2 vibrate with the same frequency and the same amplitude.

95 Light of wavelength 600 nm is incident on a pair of slits. Fringes with a spacing of 4.0 mm are
formed on a screen. 9702/11/M/J/13/Q27

What will be the fringe spacing when the wavelength of the light is changed to 400 nm and the
separation of the slits is doubled?

A 1.3 mm
B 3.0 mm
C 5.3 mm
D 12 mm

96 The speed of a transverse wave on a stretched string can be changed by adjusting the tension of
the string. A stationary wave pattern is set up on a stretched string using an oscillator set at a
frequency of 650 Hz. 9702/11/M/J/13/Q28

fixed
point

oscillator

How must the wave be changed to maintain the same stationary wave pattern if the applied
frequency is increased to 750 Hz?

A Decrease the speed of the wave on the string.

B Decrease the wavelength of the wave on the string.
C Increase the speed of the wave on the string.
D Increase the wavelength of the wave on the string.

Superposition
 

97 Noise reduction headphones actively produce their own sound waves in order to cancel out
external sound waves. 9702/11/M/J/13/Q29

A microphone in the headphones receives waves of one frequency. A loudspeaker in the

headphones then produces a wave of that frequency but of a different phase.

What is the phase difference between the external sound wave and the wave produced by the
loudspeaker in the headphones?

A 90° B 180° C 270° D 360°

98 The sound from a loudspeaker placed above a tube causes resonance of the air in the tube.
9702/11/O/N/13/Q27
A stationary wave is formed with two nodes and two antinodes as shown.
loudspeaker

60.0 cm

The speed of sound in air is 330 m s–1.

What is the frequency of the sound?

A 413 Hz B 550 Hz C 830 Hz D 1650 Hz

99 Light of wavelength λ passes through a diffraction grating with slit spacing d. A series of lines is
observed on a screen. 9702/11/O/N/13/Q28

first order line

light of α
wavelength λ

diffraction first order line

grating
screen

What is the angle α between the two first order lines?

⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞
A sin–1 ⎜ λ ⎟ B sin–1 ⎜ λ ⎟ C 2 sin–1 ⎜ λ ⎟ D 2 sin–1 ⎜ λ ⎟
⎝ 2d ⎠ ⎝d ⎠ ⎝ 2d ⎠ ⎝d ⎠

Superposition
 

100 A student connects two loudspeakers to a signal generator. 9702/11/O/N/13/Q29

signal
generator

As the student walks from P to Q, he notices that the loudness of the sound rises and falls
repeatedly.

What causes the loudness of the sound to vary?

A diffraction of the sound waves

B interference of the sound waves
C polarisation of the sound waves
D reflection of the sound waves

101 The three waves shown in each diagram have the same amplitude and frequency but differ in
phase. 9702/13/O/N/13/Q26

They are added together to give a resultant wave.

In which case is the resultant wave zero?

A B

C D

Superposition
 

102 A student sets up apparatus to observe the double-slit interference of monochromatic light, as
shown. 9702/13/O/N/13/Q29

monochromatic
light

double-slit
screen

Interference fringes are formed on the screen.

Which change would increase the distance between adjacent fringes?

A Decrease the distance between the two slits.

B Decrease the width of each slit.
C Move the screen closer to the double-slit.
D Use light of a higher frequency.

103 A stationary sound wave has a series of nodes. The distance between the first and the sixth node
is 30.0 cm. 9702/13/O/N/13/Q27

What is the wavelength of the sound wave?

A 5.0 cm B 6.0 cm C 10.0 cm D 12.0 cm

104 What is meant by diffraction?

9702/13/O/N/13/Q28

A Addition of two coherent waves to produce a stationary wave pattern.

B Bending of waves round an obstacle.
C Change of direction when waves cross the boundary between one medium and another.
D Splitting of white light into colours.

Superposition
 
105 A student attempts to show the interference of light using two identical green LEDs. 9702/13/M/J/14/Q28

Which statement explains why the experiement will not succeed?

A The light waves from the sources are not coherent.

B The light waves from the sources do not have the same amplitude.
C The light waves from the sources have a range of wavelengths.
D The light waves from the sources are not monochromatic.

106 A stationary wave is set up on a stretched string, as shown. 9702/13/M/J/14/Q29

Q
S

P
R

Which statement about the points on the string is correct?

A Point Q vibrates with the largest amplitude.

B Points P and R vibrate in phase.
C Point S is an antinode.
D The horizontal distance between R and S is half the wavelength.

107 Monochromatic light is incident on a diffraction grating and a diffraction pattern is observed.

Which line of the table gives the effect of replacing the grating with one that has more lines per
metre?
9702/13/M/J/14/Q30

number of orders of angle between first and

diffraction visible second orders of diffraction

A decreases decreases
B decreases increases
C increases decreases
D increases increases

108 A parallel beam of white light passes through a diffraction grating. Orange light of wavelength
600 nm in the fourth order diffraction maximum coincides with blue light in the fifth order
diffraction maximum. 9702/11/M/J/14/Q26

What is the wavelength of the blue light?

A 450 nm B 480 nm C 500 nm D 750 nm

Superposition
 

109 The principle of superposition states that a certain quantity is added when two or more waves
meet at a point.
9702/12/M/J/14/Q25

What is this quantity?

A amplitude
B displacement
C intensity
D wavelength

110 Light passes through a diffraction grating ruled at 1000 lines per cm and the same wavelength of
light also passes through two narrow slits 0.5 mm apart. Both situations produce intensity maxima
and minima on a screen.
9702/12/M/J/14/Q26

Which statement about the separation of the maxima on the screen and the sharpness of the
maxima is correct?

A The diffraction grating maxima are less widely spaced and are less sharp than the two-slit
maxima.
B The diffraction grating maxima are less widely spaced and are sharper than the two-slit
maxima.
C The diffraction grating maxima are more widely spaced and are less sharp than the two-slit
maxima.
D The diffraction grating maxima are more widely spaced and are sharper than the two-slit
maxima.

111 A stationary wave on a stretched string is set up between two points P and T. 9702/11/M/J/14/Q25

Q S
P
T

vibrator

Which statement about the wave is correct?

A Point R is at a node.
B Points Q and S vibrate in phase.
C The distance between P and T is three wavelengths.
D The wave shown has the lowest possible frequency.

Superposition
 

112 The diagram shows an experiment which has been set up to demonstrate two-source
interference. Microwaves of wavelength λ pass through two slits S1 and S2. 9702/12/M/J/14/Q27

S1
O
S2
microwave microwave
transmitter metal plate detector
with two slits

The detector is moved from point O in the direction of the arrow. The signal detected decreases
until the detector reaches point X, and then starts to increase again as the detector moves
beyond X.

Which equation correctly determines the position of X?

A OX = λ

B OX = λ / 2

C S2X – S1X = λ

D S2X – S1X = λ / 2

113 The basic principle of note production in a horn is to set up a stationary wave in an air column.
9702/11/M/J/14/Q27
mouthpiece bell

horn

For any note produced by the horn, a node is formed at the mouthpiece and an antinode is
formed at the bell. The frequency of the lowest note is 75 Hz.

What are the frequencies of the next two higher notes for this air column?

first higher note second higher note

/ Hz / Hz

A 113 150
B 150 225
C 150 300
D 225 375

Superposition
 

114 A stationary sound wave is produced in a tube. 9702/11/O/N/14/Q25

Which statement describes the wave speed?

A It is the distance between two adjacent nodes divided by the period of the wave.
B It is the speed at which energy is transferred from one antinode to an adjacent antinode.
C It is the speed of a particle at an antinode.
D It is the speed of one of the progressive waves that are producing the stationary wave.

115 Two identical loudspeakers are connected in series to an a.c. supply, as shown. 9702/11/O/N/14/Q26

Which graph best shows the variation of the intensity of the sound with distance along the line
XY?

A B
intensity intensity

0 0
X Y X Y
distance distance

C D
intensity intensity

0 0
X Y X Y
distance distance

116 Interference fringes are produced on a screen by double-slit interference using light of
wavelength 600 nm. The fringe separation is 4.0 mm and the separation of the slits is 0.60 mm.
9702/13/O/N/14/Q30
What is the distance between the double slit and the screen?

A 0.25 m B 0.40 m C 2.5 m D 4.0 m

Superposition
 
117 A diffraction grating experiment is set up using yellow light of wavelength 600 nm. The grating has
a slit separation of 2.00 μm. 9702/11/O/N/14/Q27

2nd order yellow

1st order yellow

θ2
θ1

light of
wavelength grating
600 nm

What is the angular separation (θ 2 – θ 1) between the first and second order maxima of the yellow
light?

A 17.5° B 19.4° C 36.9° D 54.3°

118 The variation with distance x of the intensity I along a stationary sound wave in air is shown by
the following graph. 9702/13/O/N/14/Q27

0
0 5.0 10.0 15.0
x / cm
–1
The speed of sound in air is 340 m s .

What is the frequency of the sound wave?

A 1700 Hz B 2270 Hz C 3400 Hz D 6800 Hz

119 An organ pipe of length l is open at both ends. Notes are produced by the pipe when stationary
waves are set up. 9702/13/O/N/14/Q29

The speed of sound in the air column is v.

What is the lowest (fundamental) frequency of the note produced by the pipe?

A 2v B v C v D v
l l 2l 4l

Superposition
 

120 The table contains statements about stationary and progressive waves. 9702/13/M/J/15/Q27

Which row is correct?

stationary wave progressive wave

A all particles vibrate all particles vibrate
with the same amplitude with the same amplitude
B energy is transferred energy is transferred
along the wave along the wave
C particles in adjacent particles vibrate in phase
loops vibrate in antiphase with their immediate neighbours
D particles one wavelength particles one wavelength
apart vibrate in phase apart vibrate in phase

121 Wave generators at points X and Y produce water waves of the same wavelength. At point Z, the
waves from X have the same amplitude as the waves from Y. Distances XZ and YZ are as
shown.
9702/13/M/J/15/Q29

X Y

24 cm 34 cm

When the wave generators operate in phase, the amplitude of oscillation at Z is zero.

What could be the wavelength of the waves?

A 2 cm B 3 cm C 4 cm D 6 cm

122 What is not an essential condition for an observable interference pattern to occur between the
waves from two sources? 9702/12/M/J/15/Q26

A The frequencies of the two sources must be equal.

B The sources must be coherent.
C The sources must emit waves of equal amplitude.
D The waves from the two sources must overlap.

Superposition
 

123 A pattern of waves was observed without being able to view the source of the waves. The pattern
is represented in the diagram. 9702/12/M/J/15/Q28

region of minimum intensity

region of maximum intensity

What can cause this pattern?

A coherence only
B diffraction and interference
C diffraction only
D interference only

124 Source S emits microwaves with a constant amplitude. The microwaves hit a metal screen P and
are reflected. A stationary wave is formed between S and P. The wavelength of the microwaves
is much smaller than the distance between S and P.
9702/12/M/J/15/Q27

S P

A detector Q is moved at a slow, constant speed from S to P.

What happens to the amplitude of the signal detected by Q?

A decreases steadily
B increases and decreases regularly
C increases steadily
D remains constant

Superposition
 
125 The diagram shows a stationary wave on a string at two instants of maximum vertical
displacement.
9702/11/M/J/15/Q28

90 cm

The frequency of the wave is 12 Hz.

What is the speed of the wave?

A 3.6 m s–1 B 7.2 m s–1 C 360 m s–1 D 720 m s–1

126 A loudspeaker emitting sound of frequency f is placed at the open end of a pipe of length l which
is closed at the other end. A standing wave is set up in the pipe.
9702/11/M/J/15/Q29

l
loudspeaker

A series of pipes are then set up with either one or two loudspeakers of frequency f. The pairs of
loudspeakers vibrate in phase with each other.

Which pipe contains a standing wave?

2l

2l

Superposition
 
127 In a double-slit experiment the distance between the fringes, on a screen, was too small to
measure.
9702/11/M/J/15/Q30

What would increase the distance between the fringes?

A increasing the distance between the light source and the slits
B increasing the distance between the slits and the screen
C increasing the distance between the slits
D increasing the frequency of the light source

Superposition