IB SL Waves Exercise x1b
1.
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?
(Total 1 mark)
2.
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?
(Total 1 mark)
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IB SL Waves Exercise x1b
3.
A particle oscillates with simple harmonic motion with period T.
At time t = 0, the particle has its maximum displacement. Which graph shows the variation with
time t of the kinetic energy Ek of the particle?
(Total 1 mark)
4.
Two waves meet at a point. The waves have a path difference of

. The phase difference
4
between the waves is
A.
π
rad.
8
B.
π
rad.
4
C.
π
rad.
2
D.
π rad.
(Total 1 mark)
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IB SL Waves Exercise x1b
5.
A force that varies sinusoidally is applied to a system that is lightly damped. Which of the
following must be true of the force for resonance to occur?
A.
It must always be in anti-phase with the oscillations of the system.
B.
Its direction must always be in the direction of motion of the oscillations of the system.
C.
Its frequency must be equal to the frequency of oscillation of the system.
D.
Its amplitude must be equal to the amplitude of oscillation of the system.
(Total 1 mark)
6.
Two waves meet at a point in space. Which of the following properties always add together?
A.
Displacement
B.
Amplitude
C.
Speed
D.
Frequency
(Total 1 mark)
7.
The shock absorbers of a car, in good working condition, ensure that the vertical oscillations of
the car are
A.
undamped.
B.
lightly damped.
C.
moderately damped.
D.
critically damped.
(Total 1 mark)
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IB SL Waves Exercise x1b
8.
The graphs show how the acceleration a of four different particles varies with their displacement
x.
Which of the particles is executing simple harmonic motion?
(Total 1 mark)
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IB SL Waves Exercise x1b
9.
An object at the end of a spring oscillates vertically with simple harmonic motion. The graph
shows the variation with time t of the displacement x. The amplitude is x0 and the period of
oscillation is T.
Which of the following is the correct expression for the displacement x?
A.
 x 0 cos
B.
x 0 cos
C.
 x 0 sin
D.
x 0 sin
2
t
T
2
t
T
2
t
T
2
t
T
(Total 1 mark)
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IB SL Waves Exercise x1b
10.
An object at the end of a spring oscillates vertically with simple harmonic motion. The graph
shows the variation with time t of the displacement x. The amplitude is x0 and the period of
oscillation is T.
Which of the following is the correct expression for the maximum acceleration of the object?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2
x0
T
2
T2
4 2
T2
x0
x0
4 2
x0
T
(Total 1 mark)
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IB SL Waves Exercise x1b
11.
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
(Total 1 mark)
12.
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
(Total 1 mark)
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IB SL Waves Exercise x1b
13.
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
(Total 1 mark)
14.
The graph below shows how the displacement x of a particle undergoing simple harmonic motion
varies with time t. The motion is undamped.
Which of the following graphs correctly shows how the velocity v of the particle varies with t?
(Total 1 mark)
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IB SL Waves Exercise x1b
15.
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.
(Total 1 mark)
16.
The graph below shows the variation with time t of the displacement x of a particle undergoing
simple harmonic motion.
Which graph correctly shows the variation with time t of the acceleration a of the particle?
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IB SL Waves Exercise x1b
(Total 1 mark)
17.
The two graphs show the variation with time of the individual displacements of two waves as they
pass through the same point.
The displacement of the resultant wave at the point at time T is equal to
A.
x1 + x2 .
B.
x1 – x2 .
C.
A1 + A2.
D.
A1 – A2.
(Total 1 mark)
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