1

SHM
1) A body oscillates vertically in SHM with an amplitude of 30 mm and a frequency of 5.0
Hz. Calculate the acceleration of the particle (a) at the extremities of the motion, (b) at the
centre of the motion, (c) at a position midway between the centre and the extremity.
(ans:  32 ms-2, 0,  1.52 ms-2)

2) A horizontal platform vibrates vertically in SHM with a period of 0.20 s and with slowly
increasing amplitude. What is the maximum value of the amplitude which will allow a mass,
resting on the platform, to remain in contact with the platform? (ans: 10 mm)

3) A mass of 0.20 kg is attached to the lower end of a light helical spring and produces an
extension of 5.0 cm. The mass is now pulled down a further distance of 2.0 cm and released.
Calculate (a) the time period of subsequent oscillations, (b) the maximum value of the
acceleration during the motion. (ans: 40 Nm-1, 0.44s, 4.0 ms-2)

4) A body vibrates in SHM in a vertical direction with amplitude of 50 mm and a periodic

time of 4.0s. (a) Calculate the displacement after (i) 2.5 s, (ii) 5.0 s, assuming that the
displacement is zero at time zero. (b) Calculate the time it takes the body to move to its
maximum upwards displacement from a position 30 mm below it. (-35 mm, 50 mm, 0.74 s)

5) A body moves in SHM with an amplitude of 30 mm and a frequency of 2.0 Hz. Calculate
the values of (a) acceleration at the centre and extremities of the oscillation, (b) velocity at
these positions, (c) velocity and acceleration at a point midway between the centre and
extremity of the oscillation. (ans:0,  0.482 ms-2,  0.12 ms-1, 0,  0.33 ms-1,  0.242 ms-2)

6) A body of mass 0.10 kg oscillates in SHM with an amplitude of 5.0 cm and with a
frequency of 0.50 Hz. Calculate (a) the maximum value and (b) the minimum value of its
kinetic energy. State where these occur. (ans: 1210-4 J, zero, at extremities)

7) A load of mass 0.2 kg is held at the end of a spring. It oscillates with amplitude of 20 mm.
The maximum force acting on it is 0.064. Find its (i) maximum acceleration, (ii) maximum
angular frequency, (iii) maximum velocity, (iv) period of oscillation.
(ans: 0.32 ms-2, 4 rads-1, 0.08 ms-1, 1.57 s)

8) A mass of 0.2 kg on the end of a spring oscillates with a period of 1.6 s and an amplitude
of 2.4 cm. Calculate (a) the angular frequency of the oscillation, (b) the maximum speed of
the mass, (c) the maximum acceleration, (d) the total energy of the mass, (e) the speed of the
mass when its displacement from the equilibrium position is 0.6 cm, (f) the maximum
resultant force on the mass, (g) the spring constant of the spring, (h) the distance the mass
moved in the first 1.0 s.
(ans: 3.93 rads-1, 9.4 cms-1, 8.84  10-4 J, 9.13 cms-1, 0.074 N, 0.0308 Ncm-1, 6.49 cm)

9) (a) A particle oscillating in simple harmonic motion has its motion timed at t = 0 s when it
is at the 50 cm mark. It travels between the 50 cm and 70 cm marks with a period of 2.0 s.
Where is the position of the particle at time t = 0.75 s? (67.1 cm mark)
(b) A particle is performing simple harmonic motion between two points A and B, 4 cm
apart. If the period of oscillation is 3.0 s, what is the particle’s maximum acceleration?
(ans: 8.8 cms-2)
 2

10) (a) A 200 g mass undergoes SHM with amplitude 0.4 m and period 3.0 s. Calculate (i) its
maximum k.e, (ii) the force constant k, (iii) the displacement when the kinetic and potential
energies are equal. (ans: 70 mJ, 0.88 Nm-1, 0.28 m)
(b) A hydrogen atom vibrates in a certain molecule with frequency 87 THz. The total energy
of oscillation is 5.7  10-20 J. Find a value for the amplitude of oscillation. (ans: 1.5  10-11 m)

11) A mass of 100 g Ek/J

oscillates vertically with
SHM at the end of a spring
and its k.e Ek varies with
displacement x as shown 0.2
in the diagram. Use data
from the graph to
determine (a) maximum
velocity and maximum 0.1
acceleration of the mass,
(b) spring constant of the
spring, (c) displacement of 0
the mass at which total -5.0 +5.0 x/cm
energy of the mass-spring
system is half k.e and half p.e. (ans: 2 ms-1, 40 rads-1, 80 ms-2, 160 Nm-1, 3.54 cm)

12) An object rests on a platform which oscillates vertically in shm of amplitude 10 cm. Find
the minimum frequency at which the object loses contact with the platform at a certain point
in the oscillation. Identify this point. (ans: 1.58 Hz at highest point of oscillation)

13) A mass of 0.5 kg is suspended from a light spring of force constant 10 Nm-1. The mass is
pulled down by 3 cm and is then released. Find (i) the maximum acceleration of the mass, (ii)
the period of the resulting oscillation, (iii) the maximum speed of the mass, (iv) the maximum
p.e of the spring, (v) the k.e of the mass 2 cm below the centre of oscillation.
(ans 4.5 mJ, 4.47 rads-1, 0.134 ms-1, 0.1 ms-1)

14) A small trolley T of mass m = 0.2 kg

is attached to two similar springs of force
T
constant k =10Nm-1 whose other ends are
attached to fixed points. The trolley T is
displaced sideways a distance 2 cm and then released. Calculate the period of oscillation and
the maximum k.e of T. (ans: 0.628 s, 4 mJ)

15) A particle is attached to a spring. The particle has a velocity v1 when its displacement is
x1 and a velocity v2 when its displacement is x2. Find the angular frequency and the amplitude
of such motion in terms of the given quantities. ,

RESONANCE

A car driver notices that, when she drives at a particular speed, the rear-view mirror shakes
visibly. In an attempt to stop it, she sticks a large lump of Blu-tack to the back of the mirror.
(a) Explain why the vibration is noticeable only at a particular speed. (b) Explain how the
Blu-tack will affect the vibrations.
 3

WAVES

1) A progressive wave travels a distance of 18 cm in 1.5 s. If the distance between successive

crests is 60 mm, calculate the periodic time of the wave motion. (ans: 0.50 s)

2) A progressive wave has amplitude 0.40 m and wavelength 2.0 m. At a given time the
displacement y = 0 at x = 0. Calculate (i) the displacement at x = 0.50 m and 1.4 m, (ii) the
phase angles at x = 0.50 m and 0.80 m, (iii) the phase difference between any two points
which are 0.30 m apart on the wave.
(ans:0.40 m, -0.38 m, 0.5, 0.8, 0.3)
x/m
3) The diagram is a displacement-time graph of a particle
in a progressive wave travelling at a speed of 5 km s-1 to Q
+3
the right. What is the (a) amplitude, (b) frequency, (c)
wavelength, (d) phase difference between points P and Q?

(ans: 3m, 105 Hz, 5 cm, 1.5) t/s

0 P 5 10 15

-3

4) A lamp gives a light intensity of 1.0 Wm-2 at 1.3 m from it. Calculate (a) the output power
of the lamp, (b) the light intensity at 0.7 m from the lamp.
(ans: 21 W, 3.4 Wm-2)

5) (a) A student stands 5.0 m from a loudspeaker of 20 W. Calculate how much energy
passes into his ear in one minute if the receiving area of his ear canal is 1.5 cm2.
(ans: 5.7  10-4 J)

(b)At a distance 20 m from a loudspeaker, the amplitude of sound is 0.012 mm. What is the
amplitude at 30 m from the loudspeaker?
(ans: 0.008mm)

6) The diagram shows two sources X and Y X

which emit sound of wavelength 2.0 m. The two
sources emit in phase, and emit waves of equal
amplitude. What does an observer hear 3.5 m
6.0 m
(a) at Q, (b) at R?
Q
1.0 m
Ans: (a) sound of twice amplitude is heard, (b)
nothing 3.5 m R

Y
 4

7) Two loudspeakers S1 and S2 each emit sound of frequency 330 Hz uniformly in all
directions. S1 has an acoustic output of 1.2 x 10-3 W while S2 has an acoustic output of 1.8 x
10-3 W. S1 and S2 vibrate in phase. A point P is 4 m from S1 and 3 m from S2. The speed of
sound in air is 330 ms-1. (a) How are the phases of the two waves arriving at P related?
(b) What is the intensity of sound at P with (i) S1 on alone, (ii) S2 on alone, and
(iii) S1 and S2 both on. (ans: 5.97 Wm-2,16 Wm-2, 41.5 Wm-2)
4.0 m
8) The diagram shows two sources S1 and S2 which are
identical and emit in phase. Calculate the two possible
¤ ¤
values of wavelength for which (a) constructive S1 S2
interference, (b) destructive interference would occur at
point P. (ans: (a) 1m, 2m, (b) 4/3 m, 4 m) 3.0 m

STATIONARY WAVES P
1) The string at the right is 1.5 meters long and is vibrating as the first harmonic. The string
vibrates up and down with 33 complete vibrational cycles in 10 seconds. Determine the
frequency, period, wavelength and speed for this wave. (ans: 3.3 Hz, 0.303 s, 9.9 m/s)

2) A stretched wire of length 60.0 cm vibrates transversely. Waves travel along the wire at a
speed 210 m/s. Three antinodes can be found in the stationary waves formed in between the
two ends of the wire. Determine (i) the wavelength of the waves which move along the wire,
(ii) the frequency. (ans: 40.0 cm, 525 Hz)

3) The frequency of the fundament mode of a transverse vibration of a guitar string of length
75 cm is 400 Hz. (a) Calculate (i) the speed of the transverse wave on the string. (ii) the
fundamental frequency when the string is shortened to 60 cm. (b) Sketch the pattern of
vibration of the string vibrating at twice its fundamental frequency. (ans: 600 ms-1, 500 Hz)

4) (a) What are the 3 longest wavelengths of a standing wave formed on a stretched wire of 1
m in length? (ans; 2 m, 1 m, 0.67 m)

(b)A source of sound waves of frequency 2 kHz is placed in front of a flat wall so that a
standing wave is set up. The speed of sound in air is 340 ms -1. Calculate the distance between
successive minima. (ans: 8.5 cm)

5) A pipe of length 0.845 m, closed at one end, is known to resonate at frequencies of 100 Hz
and 300 Hz. The speed of sound in the pipe is 340m s–1. (a) Calculate the fundamental
frequency of this pipe. (b) Calculate (i) the wavelength of sound in the pipe at its fundamental
frequency, (ii) the end-correction. (ans:100 Hz, 3.40 m, 5 mm)

6) Calculate the fundamental frequency of sound in an open-ended pipe of length 1.40 m.

Neglect end-corrections. The speed of sound in the pipe is 340 m s–1. (ans: 61 Hz)

7) A pipe of length 28 cm closed at one end is found to be at resonance when a turning fork
of frequency 864 Hz is vibrating near its open end. Determine the mode of vibration of air in
the pipe, and a value for the end-correction. Take velocity of sound in air as 340 ms -1.
(ans: 1.5 cm)
 5

8) Two loudspeakers which are connected to the same oscillator face each other and are
separated by a distance of about 3 m. A small microphone, placed approximately midway
along the line between the two loudspeakers, records positions of minimum intensity, which
are separated by 4.2 cm. If the oscillator is set at a frequency 4.0 kHz, calculate the speed of
sound in air. (ans: 336 ms-1)

9) A microwave transmitter is aimed at a metal plate, as shown in the diagram

(a) A small detector, moved along the
line XY, travels 14 cm in moving from
the first to the eleventh consecutive
nodal position. Calculate the frequency X Y
of the microwaves emitted.
(b) The detector is now fixed in position microwave
and the metal plate is moved to the right, transmitter detector metal plate
along the direction XY at a speed of 28
cms-1. Explain what the detector observes. (ans: 1.11010 Hz)

10) The speed v of transverse waves along a stretched string is given by the equation ,
where T is the tension and  is the mass per unit length.
A horizontal string is stretched between two points a distance 0.8 m apart. The tension in the
string is 90 N and its mass is 4.5 g. Calculate (a) the speed of transverse waves along the
string and (b) the wavelengths and frequencies of the three lowest frequency modes of
vibration of the string. (c) Explain how your answer to (b) would differ if the string is held
lightly at its centre position.
(ans: 126 ms-1, 1.6 m, 0.80 m, 0.53 m, 79 Hz, 0.16 Hz, 0.24 Hz)

11) The fundamental frequency of vibration of a stretched wire is 120 Hz. Calculate the new
fundamental frequency if (a) the tension in the wire is doubled, the length remaining
constant, (b) the length of the wire is doubled, the tension remaining constant, (c) the tension
is doubled and the length of the wire is doubled.
(ans: 170 Hz, 60.0 Hz, 84.9 Hz)

12) A closed organ pipe is of length 0.680 m. Calculate the wavelengths and frequencies of
the three lowest frequency modes of vibration. Take the speed of sound to be 340 ms
(ans: 2.72 m, 0.907 m, 0.544 m, 125 Hz, 375 Hz, 625 Hz)

TWO-SOURCE INTERFERENCE

1) Calculate the observed fringe width for a Young’s double slit experiment using light of
wavelength 600 nm and slits 0.50 mm apart. The distance from the slits to the screen is
0.80 m. (ans: 0.96 mm)

2) Two loudspeakers connected to the same signal generator produce sounds of frequency
1000 Hz. The separation between the 2 speakers is 2.0 m. An observer who stands 5.0 m in
front hears 3 consecutive loud sounds when he moves through a distance of 1.65 m in the
direction parallel to the speakers. Determine (a) the wavelength of the sound, (b) the speed of
the sound waves in air.
(ans: 0.33 m, 330 ms-1)
 6

3) A Young’s double slit interferometer with green light of wavelength 546 nm. The double
slits are 0.100 mm apart and the screen is 20 cm away from the double slits. Find
i) the angular position of the 1st minimum
ii) the angular position of the 5th maximum
iii) the distance on the screen between the 1st maximum and the 5th maximum
(ans: 0.156°, 1.56°, 4.37 mm)

4) In a young’s double slit experiment, the distance from the slits to the screen is 1.00 m and
the wavelength used is 0.6 m. Calculate the separation of the slits if the distance between
the centre of the fringe pattern to the 10th bright band on one side is 30 mm. (ans: 0.2mm)

5) In a Young’s double-slit experiment, mercury green light of wavelength 0.54µm was used
with a pair of parallel slits of separation 0.6mm. The fringes were observed at a distance of
40 cm from the slits. Calculate the fringe separation. (ans: 0.36mm)

7) In a Young’s double-slit arrangement green monochromatic light of wavelength 0.50 µm

was used. Five fringes were found to occupy a distance of 4.0 mm on the screen. Calculate
the fringe separation if (independently) (a) red light of wavelength 0.65 µm was used, (b) the
slit separation was doubled, (c) the slits-screen distance was doubled.
(ans: 1.0 mm, 0.40 mm, 1.6mm)

8) Two narrow parallel slits are illuminated by light of 2 wavelengths, λ1 = 600nm and λ2 is
unknown. On the interference patterns produced on the screen, the 4th bright fringe for λ1
coincides with the 6th bright fringe for λ2. Find λ2 (ans: λ2 = 400 nm)

DIFFRACTION GRATINGS

1) Monochromatic light is incident on a diffraction grating with 7.00 x 105 lines per meter. A
second-order maximum is observed at an angle of diffraction of 40.0°. Calculate the
wavelength of the incident light. (ans: λ = 460 nm)

2) A diffraction grating is ruled with 3500 lines per cm. parallel light of wavelength 600 nm
is viewed through the grating. Find
(i) the maximum number of orders of reinforcement that can be seen through the grating
(ii) the number of reinforcement maxima that will be observed. (ans: 4, 9)

3) A diffraction grating with 500 lines per millimetre is illuminated normally by yellow light
of wavelength 5.87  10-7 m. (a) At what angle to the normal is the first order image? (b)
What is the highest order in which an image may be obtained? (ans: 17.1, 3)

4) If red light (660 nm) impinges on a 0.1 mm wide single slit, find the angular separation 
between the center line and the first minimum of the resulting diffraction pattern. If a screen
is located 1 m from the slit, find the corresponding distance separation. (ans: 6.6 mm)

5) Monochromatic light of wavelength 600nm is incident normally on a grating of spacing

2.00µm. Calculate (a) the angular positions of the maxima; (b) the number of diffracted
beams which can be observed; (c) the maximum order possible.
(ans: 17.5, 36.9, 64.2, 7, 3)
 7

6) Light consisting of wavelengths 420nm and 650nm is incident normally on a grating of

6.00×105 lines m-1. Calculate the angular separation of the wavelengths in the second-order
spectrum. (ans: 21.0)

7) White light which has been passed through a certain filter has a range of wavelengths from
450 nm to 700 nm. It is incident normally on a diffraction grating. Show that if there are
second- and third-order spectra, they will overlap.

8) A monochromatic light is incident normally on a diffraction grating with 700 lines per
mm. the screen is 1.1 m from the grating. The central spot is formed at O.
a) A second order maximum is observed at an angle of diffraction of 40.0°
i) What is the angle between the two 2nd order maximum diffraction images on either side
of the normal?
ii) Calculate the wavelength of the incident light.
b) Find the greatest number of brightest images obtained.
c) The first bright image is formed at A. The distance between the central spot O to A is x.
Find the value of x. (ans: 80, 460 nm, 3, 374 mm)
 8

DOPPLER EFFECT

Take speed of sound in air as 340 ms-1 when not given.

1) (a) Describe the Doppler effect.

(b) An observer stands on a bridge above a railway track as a train approaches at a constant
speed of 44 ms-1. The train continuously sounds a whistle which has a frequency of 880 Hz.
Calculate the frequency heard by the observer as the train (i) approaches, (ii) recedes.
(ans: 1011 Hz, 779 Hz)

2) (a) A source approaches a stationary observer at 40 ms -1 emitting sound of frequency 500

Hz. What frequency does the observer hear? (ans: 570 Hz)
-1
(b) A source is moving away from a stationary observer at 32 ms emitting sound of
frequency 480 Hz. What frequency does the observer hear? (ans: 440 Hz)

3) A trumpeter plays her trumpet while in a car. The note she plays has a frequency of 300
Hz but you hear a note with a frequency of 280 Hz. (a) is she moving towards or away from
you? (b) how fast is she moving? (ans: 23.6 ms-1)

4) A galaxy is moving away from the Earth at 26000 kms -1. Calculate the wavelength and
frequency change of a 650 nm line in its spectrum. (ans: 56.5 nm, 3.7  1013 Hz)

5) An ambulance with a 500 Hz siren approaches and then passes a stationary observer at a
steady speed of 20 ms-1. Calculate the change in frequency of the sound heard by the
observer. (ans: 59 Hz)

6) (a) A source emits a sound of frequency 440 Hz. It moves in a straight line towards a
stationary observer with a speed of 30 m s -1. The observer hears a sound of frequency 484
Hz. Calculate the speed of sound in air. (ans: 330 ms-1)

(b) Find the change in the frequency of a siren from a train that is moving towards you at 50
ms-1. Assume that the emitted frequency is 400 Hz and speed of sound in air is 330 ms-1.
(ans: 71.4 Hz)

7) The highest frequency you can hear is 20 000 Hz. If a plane making a sound of frequency
500 Hz went fast enough, you would not be able to hear it. How fast would the plane have to
go? (ans: 321.8 m s-1)

8) A car travelling at 30 ms-1 emits a sound of frequency 500 Hz. Calculate the frequency of
the sound measured by an observer in front of the car. (ans: 550 Hz)

9) Paul is standing on the platform of a station. A high speed train is approaching the station
in a straight line at constant speed and is sounding its whistle. As the train passes by Paul, the
frequency of the sound emitted by the whistle as heard by Paul, changes from 640 Hz to 430
Hz. Determine (a) the speed of the train, (b) the frequency of the sound emitted by the
whistle as heard by a person on the train. (take speed of sound as 330 m s -1)
–1
(ans: (a) 64.7 m s (b) 512 Hz)
 9

10) A star emits light of wavelength 650 nm. If the light received at the Earth from this star
has a wavelength of 690 nm, how fast is the star moving away from the Earth?
(ans: 0.06 c)

11) An atom of hydrogen travelling towards the Earth at 2  106 m s-1 emits light of
wavelength 658 nm. What is the change in wavelength experienced by an observer on the
Earth? (ans: 4.38 nm)

12) Consider a source moving away from a stationary observer with speed . The source
emits waves of speed and wavelength . Explain why the observer will measure a longer
wavelength for the waves received and show that the shift in wavelength obeys

13) A star in another galaxy is traveling away from us at a speed of 5.6106 ms-1. It has a
known absorption spectrum line that should be located at 520 nm on an identical stationary
star. Where is this line located on the moving star? (ans: 530 nm)

14) A train with a 500 Hz siren on is moving at a constant speed of 8 ms -1 in a straight line.
An observer is in front of the train and off its line of motion. Sketch a graph to show how the
frequency of sound heard by the observer changes with distance travelled by the train

15) Hydrogen atoms in a distant galaxy emit light of wavelength 658 nm. The light received
on Earth is measured to have a wavelength of 689 nm. State whether the galaxy is
approaching the Earth or moving away, and calculate the speed of the galaxy.
(ans: 1.4  107 ms-1 away from Earth)

16) A spectral line has a wavelength of 500 nm when observed in the laboratory. When
observed from the Earth, the same line emitted by a distant star has an apparent wavelength
of 550 nm. Deduce whether the star is approaching or receding from the Earth and calculate
its velocity. (ans: 3 107 ms-1)

17) The sun rotates about its axis with a period of 27 days, emits monochromatic light of
wavelength 0.5 m and has a radius of about 7  108 m. Calculate the shift in frequency of
the light emitted from the Sun’s equator and received on Earth. (ans: 3.78 GHz)

18) A whistle emitting sound of frequency 512 Hz is whirled in a horizontal circle of radius
0.50 m at a constant rate of 100 revolutions per minute.
Taking speed of sound in air as 344 ms-1, calculate the maximum and minimum frequencies
heard by a stationary observer standing some distance away. (ans: 520 Hz, 504 Hz)

19) The diagram shows wavefronts produced by a stationary wave

source S. The spacing of the wavefronts is equal to the wavelength
of the waves. The wavefronts travel with speed .
 10

(a) The source S now moves to the right with speed . Draw four successive wavefronts to
show the pattern of waves produced by the moving source.

(b) Derive the Doppler formula for the observed frequency of a sound source, as heard by
a stationary observer, when the source approaches the stationary observer with speed . The
speed of sound is and the frequency of the sound emitted by the source is f.

The Sun rotates about its centre. The light from one edge of the Sun, as seen by a stationary
observer, shows a Doppler shift of 0.004 nm for light of wavelength 600.000 nm.
(c) Assuming that the Doppler formula for sound may be used for light, estimate the linear
speed of a point on the surface of the Sun due to its rotation. (ans: 2000 m s-1)

20) In a binary star system, two stars orbit a common point and move so that they are always
in diametrically opposite positions. Light from both stars reaches an observer on earth.
Assume that both stars emit light of wavelength 6.58  10-7 m.

(a) When the stars are in the position shown in figure 1, the observer on earth measures a
wavelength of light of 6.58  10-7m for both stars. Explain why there is no Doppler shift in
the wavelength

towards the earth

star A star B

Fig 1
(b) When the stars are in the position shown in figure 2, the earth observer measures two
wavelengths in the received light, 6.50  10-7 m and 6.76  10-7 m. Determine the speed of
each of the stars.
star B

towards the earth

star A

Fig 2
 11

21) The Doppler effect can be used to measure the speed of blood. Ultrasound, which is
sound of high frequency, is passed from a transmitter into the body, where it reflects off
particles in the blood. The shift in frequency is measured by a stationary detector, placed
outside the body and close to the transmitter.

In one patient, particles in the blood are moving at a speed of 30 cms -1 in a direction directly
away from the transmitter. The speed of ultrasound in the body is 1500 cms -1.

The situation is partly modeled by considering the particles to be emitting sound of frequency
4.00 MHz as they move away from the detector. This sound passes to the detector outside the
body and the frequency measured by the detector is not 4.000 MHz.

(a) State and explain whether the frequency received by the stationary detector is higher or
lower than the frequency emitted by the moving particles.

(b) Calculate the difference between the frequency emitted by the moving particles and the
frequency measured by the detector.

(c) Suggest why there is also a frequency difference between the sound received by the
particles and the sound emitted by the transmitter.

22) When looking at distant stars and galaxies, the further a star or galaxy is from Earth, the
more the light emitted from the star is shifted towards the red end of the spectrum.

(a) State and explain whether the stars and galaxies are moving towards or away from the
Earth,

(b) Explain what the greater shift in frequency for stars that are further away implies.
 12

MCQ ON DOPPLER EFFECT

1) A railway engine, travelling at a constant speed on a straight level track is sounding its
whistle. The whistle emits a sound of constant frequency. The engine approaches a station
platform and passes an observer O standing on the platform at time t = T.

Which of the following sketch graphs best shows the variation with time t of the frequency f
of the sound heard by O?

2) A stationary source of sound emits waves of wavelength λ, period T and speed V. The
source now moves with speed v in a straight line away from a stationary observer.
What are the wavelength and the speed of the wave as detected by the observer?
Wavelength Speed
A
B
C
D

3) A police car, sounding its siren, is travelling at constant speed towards a stationary
observer. The sound emitted by the siren is of constant frequency. The frequency of the
sound as heard by the observer is higher than that heard by the driver of the police car. The
reason for this is that
A. the wavefronts received by the observer are closer together than the wavefronts received
by the driver.
B. the speed of the wavefronts is greater as measured by the observer than by the driver.
C. the speed of the wavefronts is less as measured by the observer than by the driver.
D. the wavefronts received by the observer are further apart than the wavefronts received by
the driver.
 13

4) Which of the following is a correct description of the Doppler effect?

A. Change in frequency of light due to motion of the source of light.

B. Change in frequency of light due to relative motion between the source of light and the
observer.
C. Change in observed frequency of light due to relative motion between the source of
light and the observer.
D. Change in observed frequency of light due to change in velocity of the source of light.

5) A source S, moving at constant speed, emits a sound of constant frequency. The source
passes by a stationary observer O, as shown below.

Which one of the following shows the variation with time t of the frequency f observed at O
as the source S approaches and passes by the observer.

6) A sample of hydrogen on Earth emits a spectral line that is measured by an Earth observer
to have wavelength 500 nm. The same spectral line is emitted by a galactic source that is
moving away from Earth at speed of 0.1c. What is the wavelength of the galactic spectral line
that will be measured by the Earth observer?

A. 50 nm B. 450 nm C. 550 nm D. 5000 nm

 14

7) A point source is moving at a constant speed in a straight-line towards the right and emits
sound waves of constant frequency. The speed of the source is less than the speed of sound.
Which of the diagrams correctly shows the wavefronts emitted by the source?

8) When a train travels towards you sounding its whistle, the pitch of the sound you hear is
different from when the train is at rest. This is because
A. the sound waves are travelling faster toward you.
B. the wavefronts of the sound reaching you are spaced closer together.
C. the wavefronts of the sound reaching you are spaced further apart.
D. the sound frequency emitted by the whistle changes with the speed of the train.

9) A sound emitting source moves along a straight line with speed v relative to an observer at
rest.

The speed of sound relative to the medium is c. The observer measures the speed of sound
emitted by the source as
A. c. B. c + v.

C. c – v. D. v – c.

10) The diagram below represents the wavefronts spreading

out from a moving source of sound S. The positions of four
observers are also shown. If the frequency of the source is f,
which observer hears a sound closest in value to this
frequency when the source is at the position shown?
 15

11) A train approaches, and passes through, a station. During this period the velocity of the
train is constant and the engine is continuously sounding its whistle. Which one of the
following correctly describes what an observer on the platform will hear?

Sound heard as the train is Sound heard as the train is

approaching the station passing through the station
A Constant frequency Increasing frequency
B Increasing frequency Decreasing frequency
C Decreasing frequency Increasing frequency
D Constant frequency Decreasing frequency

12) Sound of a constant frequency f0 is being emitted by a sound source. An observer O

travels in the direction shown at a speed of 0.1 v where v is the speed of sound.

Which of the following gives the relationship between f0 and the frequency f of observed
sound?
A. f = 1.1 f 0 B. f < f < 1.1 f
0 0 C. f = 0.9 f0 D. f > f > 0.9 f
0 0

13) A stationary source of sound emits sound of frequency . A moving observer measures
the sound as having the frequency . The observer is moving directly away from the source
at a speed that is 30 % of the speed of sound in air. Which of the following gives the correct
value for ?

A B C D

14) A source S produces sound waves of frequency and is moving along a straight line as
shown below.

Which observer I, II, III or IV could hear a sound of frequency f when the source is in the
position shown?

A. I B. II C. III D. IV
 16

15) A source of sound moves directly towards a stationary observer. The frequency of the
sound detected by the observer is different from the source frequency because
A. the loudness of the sound increases as the source moves towards the observer.
B. the apparent wavelength of the sound is longer.
C. the speed of sound relative to the observer is increased.
D. the apparent wavelength of the sound is shorter.

16) A strong wind is blowing in the direction P to Q as shown, at less than the speed of
sound.

A whistle at Q emits sound of frequency f. Which of the following will be true for a listener
at point P?
A. No sound will be heard.
B. The sound heard will have frequency less than f.
C. The sound heard will have frequency f.
D. The sound heard will have frequency greater than f.

17) A stationary source emits sound of frequency . An observer is moving towards the
source at constant speed along the path indicated by the dotted line. The observer passes very
close to the source at time .

Which one of the following graphs best shows the variation with time t of the frequency f
heard by the observer?
 17

18) A sound source emits a note of constant frequency. An observer is travelling in a straight
line towards the source at a constant speed. As she approaches the source she will hear a
sound that

A. gets higher and higher in frequency.

B. gets lower and lower in frequency.
C. is of constant frequency but of a frequency higher than that of the sound from the source.
D. is of constant frequency but of a frequency lower than that of the sound from the source.

ULTRASOUND

1) (a) Outline the use of ultrasound to obtain diagnostic information about internal body
structures.

(b) The intensity I of a parallel beam of ultrasound is related to its initial intensity I0 and the
thickness x of the medium through which it has travelled by the relation I = I0 e–x, where
 is a constant for the medium. The table shows the constant  for different media.

medium  / m-1
blood 2
bone 130
muscle 23

(i) Use the information in the table to suggest why

1. ultrasound is not used to examine structures within bones,
2. bones may be at risk when using high intensities of ultrasound to treat diseased
joints.
(ii) Determine the ratio
(ans: 2.9)
2) (a) The table gives information relating to ultrasound in muscle and fat.

tissue density/kg m-3 Speed of ultrasound/m s-1 acoustic impedance/ kg m-2 s-1
muscle 1.1 x 103 1.6 x 103 ……………………
fat 0.9 x 103 1.5 x 103 ……………………

(i) Complete the table by calculating the acoustic impedance of muscle and of fat.
(ii) Hence suggest whether an echo could be expected from a fat-muscle boundary.

(b) Explain why a coupling medium is required between the transducer and the skin of a
patient when conducting ultrasound diagnosis.

(c) An ultrasound pulse travels through fat and is detected after reflection at a fat/tissue
boundary. The time interval between the pulse being emitted into the layer of fat and
received back at the transducer is 0.017 ms. Use the information from the table in order to
calculate the thickness of the layer of fat. (ans: 1.3 cm)
 18

3) (a) In a particular A scan, the time interval between pulses 1 and 2 is 12s. The speed of
ultrasound in bones is about 4000 ms -1. Determine the thickness of the bone. (ans: 2.4 cm)

(b) Explain why in a ultrasound B scan image the body’s skin and some bones are clearly
shown while softer organs inside its body do not.

4) For ultra-sound scanning, a piezoelectric crystal produces a series of pulses of ultrasound

and then detects the reflections. A ultrasound scan is used to detect a tumour at a depth of 6.0
cm below the surface of the skin. The speed of sound in tissue is 1500 ms -1.

(a) Explain whether an A-scan or B-scan is appropriate for this application.

(b) Calculate the time that elapses between the pulse being sent and the echo being detected.
(c) Explain why it is necessary to use a short pulse of ultrasound.
(d) The optimum frequency is one that produces a wave with a wavelength that is 1/200 the
depth of the organ. Calculate the optimum frequency for this application.
(e) Before a scan is carried out, the skin of the patient is coated with a gel. Explain the
purpose of this gel.
(ans: 80 s, 5 MHz)

5) (a) What is meant by the term ultrasound?

(b) Describe how images are produced using ultrasound.

(c) Explain why high frequency ultrasound is better for producing diagnostic images than low
frequency ultrasound.

(d) The diagram below shows an ultrasonic generator/detector placed in contact with the skin.
A jelly-like substance, gel, is used between the transducer and the skin. Why is this?

(e) Give two examples of circumstances under which it is preferable to use ultrasound rather
than X-rays for imaging.

medium Specific acoustic impedance/kgm-2s-1 Linear absorption coefficient/cm-1

Bone 6.5  106 0.13
Fat 1.4  106 0.24
Muscle 1.6  106 0.23

6) (a) A parallel of ultrasound is incident on the surface of a muscle and passes through a
thickness of 3.5 cm of the muscle. It is then reflected at the surface of a bone and returns
through the muscle to its surface. Calculate the fraction of the incident intensity that arrives
back at the surface of the muscle. (ans: 0.068)

(b) A parallel of ultrasound is incident normally on the surface of fat and passes through the
layer of fat of thickness 4.0 mm, then through muscle of thickness 43.5 mm and finally into
bone. Calculate the fraction of the incident intensity that is (i) incident on fat-muscle
boundary, (ii) transmitted through fat-muscle boundary, (iii) received at muscle-bone
boundary, (iv) transmitted into bone. (ans: 0.908, 0.904, 0.332, 0.211)