IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
1.
Reagan IB Physics
The graph below shows the variation with
time t of the displacement x of a particle
undergoing simple harmonic motion.
2.
On which one of the following graphs is the
wavelength λ and the amplitude a of a wave
correctly represented?
A.
Displacement
0
Which graph correctly shows the variation
with time t of the acceleration a of the
particle?
0
a
Distance along
wave
a
Distance along
wave
a
Distance along
wave
a
Distance along
wave
B.
Displacement
0
0
C.
Displacement
0
0
D.
Displacement
0
0
(1)
(1)
1/28
IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
3.
Reagan IB Physics
A wave is travelling through a medium. The diagram shows the variation with time t of the
displacement d of a particle of the medium from t = 0 to t = 25 ms.
1.5
1
d/cm
0.5
00
5
10
15
20
25
t/ms
–0.5
–1
–1.5
Which of the following correctly gives the frequency and the amplitude of the wave?
frequency / Hz
–2
A.
2.0
10
B.
2.0
10–2
amplitude / cm
2.0
1.0
C.
50
2.0
D.
50
1.0
(1)
4.
Which graph correctly shows how the acceleration, a of a particle undergoing SHM varies with
its displacement, x from its equilibrium position?
(1)
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IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
5.
Reagan IB Physics
For a system executing simple harmonic motion, the restoring force acting on the system is
proportional to the
A.
displacement of the system from equilibrium.
C.
elastic potential energy.
B.
amplitude of oscillation.
D.
frequency of oscillation.
(1)
6.
A cart, connected to two identical springs, is oscillating with simple harmonic motion between
two points X and Y that are equidistant from point O.
The cart is in equilibrium at
A.
all points between X and Y.
C.
points X and Y only.
B.
point O only.
D.
points O, X and Y only.
(1)
7.
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?
(1)
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IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
Reagan IB Physics
8.
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?
(1)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Amplitude
6.5 m
13 m
6.5 m
13 m
Period
6 hours
12 hours
12 hours
6 hours
9.
Which of the following graphs shows the variation with displacement x of the speed v of a
particle performing simple harmonic motion.
10.
A particle
oscillates with
simple harmonic
motion with
period T.
(1)
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?
(1)
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IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
11.
Reagan IB Physics
The graph on the right 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?
(1)
12.
The shock absorbers of a car, in good working condition, ensure that the vertical oscillations of
the car are
A.
undamped.
C.
moderately damped.
B.
lightly damped.
D.
critically damped.
(1)
13.
A mass on the end of a horizontal spring is displaced from its equilibrium position by a distance
A and released. Its subsequent oscillations have total energy E and time period T.
An identical mass is attached to an identical spring. The maximum displacement is 2A.
Assuming this spring obeys Hooke’s law, which of the following gives the correct time period
and total energy?
A.
B.
C.
New time period
T
T
2T
New energy
4E
2E
4E
D.
2T
2E
(1)
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Displacement
IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
14.
0
Reagan IB Physics
0
a
On which one of the following graphs is the wavelength λ and the amplitude
a of a wave
correctly represented?
Distance along
wave
C.
A.
Displacement
Displacement
0
0
0
Distance along
wave
a
0
a
Distance along
wave
a
Distance along
wave
D.
B.
Displacement
Displacement
0
0
0
Distance along
wave
a
0
C.
(1)
Displacement
15.
A transverse travelling wave has amplitude A0 and wavelength λ.
0
0
Distance along
wave
a
The distance between a crest and its neighbouring trough, measured in the direction of energy
transfer of the wave is equal to
D.
Displacement
A.
A0.
B.
C.
2A0.
0
D.
0
.
λ.
Distance along
wave
a
16.
2
(1)
One end of a long string is vibrated at a constant frequency f. A travelling wave of wavelength
and speed v is set up on the string.
The frequency of vibration is doubled but the tension in the string is unchanged. Which of the
following shows the wavelength and speed of the new travelling wave?
Wavelength
A.
B.
λ
2
λ
2
Speed
v
2v
C.
2
v
D.
2
2v
(1)
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IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
17.
Reagan IB Physics
Which of the following best describes the wave speed of a progressive wave travelling through
a medium?
A.
The maximum speed of the vibrating particles of the medium
B.
The average speed of the vibrating particles of the medium
C.
The speed of the medium through which the wave travels
D.
The speed of transfer of energy through the medium
(1)
18.
The diagram below shows a transverse wave on a string. The wave is moving from right to left.
X
Y
direction of wave
upwards
left
right
downwards
In the position shown, point X has zero displacement and point Y is at a position of maximum
displacement. Which one of the following gives the subsequent direction of motion of point X
and of point Y?
Point X
Point Y
A.
left
left
B.
upwards
upwards
C.
downwards
left
D.
downwards
upwards
(1)
19.
A water surface wave (ripple) is travelling to the right on the surface of a lake. The wave has
period T. The diagram below shows the surface of the lake at a particular instant of time. A
piece of cork is floating in the water in the position shown.
Which is the correct position of the cork a time
T
later?
4
cork
A.
C.
B.
D.
(1)
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IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
20.
Reagan IB Physics
A source produces water waves of frequency 10 Hz. The graph shows the variation with
horizontal position of the vertical displacement of the surface of water at one instant in time.
vertical displacement / cm
0.4
00
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
horizontal position / cm
–0.4
The speed of the water waves is
A.
0.20 cm s−1.
C.
10 cm s−1.
B.
4.0 cm s−1.
D.
20 cm s−1.
(1)
21.
Diagram 1 represents equally spaced beads on a spring. The beads are 1 cm apart.
Diagram 1
A longitudinal wave propagates along the spring. Diagram 2 shows the position of the beads at a
particular instant.
Diagram 2
Which of the following is the best estimate of the wavelength?
A.
2 cm
C.
8 cm
B.
4 cm
D.
16 cm
(Total 1 mark)
22.
A wave pulse is travelling to the right along a string.
Which of the following best represents the direction of the velocity of the point P?
A.
↑
C.
→
B.
↓
D.
←
(Total 1 mark)
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IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
23.
Reagan IB Physics
The diagram on the right is a snapshot of wave
fronts of circular waves emitted by a point
source S at the surface of water. The source
vibrates at a frequency f = 10.0 Hz.
The speed of the wave front is
A.
0.15 cm s–1.
C.
15 cm s–1.
B.
1.5 cm s–1.
D.
30 cm s–1.
(Total 1 mark)
24.
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)
25.
Plane-polarized light is
incident normally on a
polarizer which is able
to rotate in the plane
perpendicular to the
light as shown below.
In diagram 1, the
intensity of the incident
light is 8 W m–2 and the
transmitted intensity of
light is 2 W m–2.
Diagram 2 shows the
polarizer rotated 90°
from the orientation in
diagram 1. What is the
new transmitted
intensity?
A.
0 W m–2
B.
2 W m–2
C.
4 W m–3
D.
6 W m–2
(1)
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IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
26.
Reagan IB Physics
Two polarizing sheets have planes of polarization that are initially parallel.
The incoming light on sheet 1 is
unpolarized. The intensity of the light
transmitted is I. To reduce the intensity to
I
, which sheet must be rotated and
2
through what angle?
Sheet to be rotated
A.
1 or 2
B.
2 only
C.
1 only
D.
1 or 2
Rotation angle
θ = cos–1
θ = cos–1
θ = cos–1
θ = cos–1
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
(1)
27.
Unpolarized light is shone
through two identical polarizers
whose axes are parallel.
The ratio
A.
I
is
I0
0 %.
B.
25 %.
C. 50 %.
D.
100 %.
(1)
28.
The diagram shows sunlight reflected from a lake surface. The reflected sunlight is planepolarized.
The plane of polarization of the reflected sunlight is
A.
perpendicular to the lake surface.
B.
parallel to the lake surface.
C.
parallel to the direction of the reflected sunlight.
D.
in the plane of the diagram.
(1)
10/28
IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
29.
Reagan IB Physics
Unpolarized light of intensity I0 is incident on a
polarizer. The transmitted light is then incident on a
second polarizer. The axis of the second polarizer
makes an angle of 60 to the axis of the first
polarizer.
1
The cosine of 60 is . The intensity of the light
2
transmitted through the second polarizer is
A.
I0
.
8
C.
I0
.
2
B.
I0
.
4
D.
I0 .
(1)
30.
A person is walking along one side of a building and a car is driving along another side of the
building.
The person can hear the car approach but cannot see it. This is explained by the fact that sound
waves
A.
travel more slowly than light waves.
B.
are diffracted more at the corner of the building than light waves.
C.
are refracted more at the corner of the building than light waves.
D.
are longitudinal waves.
31.
(1)
The phenomenon of diffraction is associated with
A.
sound waves only.
B.
light waves only.
C.
water waves only.
D.
all waves.
(1)
32.
Which of the following correctly describes the change, if any, in the speed, wavelength and
frequency of a light wave as it passes from air into glass?
A.
Speed
decreases
Wavelength
decreases
Frequency
unchanged
B.
decreases
unchanged
decreases
C.
unchanged
increases
decreases
D.
increases
increases
unchanged
(1)
11/28
IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
Reagan IB Physics
barrier
33.
Plane wavefronts are incident on a barrier as shown on the right.
Which of the following best shows the shape of the wavefronts on the other side
of the barrier?
A.
B.
C.
D.
(1)
34.
Which one of the following correctly describes the change, if any, in the speed, wavelength and
frequency of a light wave as it passes from glass into air?
Speed
Wavelength
Frequency
A.
decreases
decreases
unchanged
B.
decreases
unchanged
decreases
C.
unchanged
increases
decreases
D.
increases
increases
unchanged
(1)
35.
Waves of frequency f travel with speed c in air and enter a medium M of refractive index 1.5.
Which of the following correctly gives the frequency and speed of the waves in the medium M?
frequency
speed
A.
f
c
1 .5
B.
f
1.5c
C.
1.5f
c
D.
f
1 .5
c
(1)
12/28
IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
36.
Reagan IB Physics
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.
C.
diffraction.
B.
reflection.
D.
transmission.
(1)
37.
Light travelling from water to air is incident on a boundary.
Y
air
water
Z
X
W
Which of the following is a correct statement of Snell’s law for this situation?
A.
sin Z = constant × sin Y
C.
sin X = constant × sin Z
B.
sin W = constant × sin Z
D.
sin W = constant × sin Y
(1)
38.
Light is incident on an air-glass boundary as shown on
the right.
Which one of the following is a correct statement of Snell’s law?
A.
sin P = constant
sin R
B.
sin P = constant
sin S
Q
air
P
R
glass
S
C.
sin Q = constant
sin R
D.
sin Q = constant
sin S
(1)
13/28
IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
39.
Reagan IB Physics
Monochromatic light crosses the boundary between two media. Which of the following
quantities is always the same for the light in both media?
A.
Amplitude
C.
Speed
B.
Frequency
D.
Wavelength
(1)
40.
The diagram below shows plane wavefronts of a wave that is approaching the boundary
between two media, X and Y. The speed of the wave is greater in medium X than in medium Y.
The wave crosses the boundary.
boundary
medium X
medium Y
Which of the following diagrams is correct?
A.
B.
medium X
medium Y
C.
medium X
medium Y
medium X
medium Y
D.
medium X
medium Y
(1)
41.
The fundamental (first harmonic) frequency for a particular organ pipe is 330 Hz. The pipe is
closed at one end but open at the other. What is the frequency of its second harmonic?
A.
110 Hz
B.
165 Hz
C.
660 Hz
D.
990 Hz
(Total 1 mark)
42.
The fundamental (first harmonic) frequency of the note emitted by an organ pipe closed at one
end is f. What is the fundamental frequency of the note emitted by an organ pipe of the same
length that is open at both ends?
A.
f
4
B.
f
2
C.
2f
D.
4f
(Total 1 mark)
14/28
IB Test Review – Topic 4: Waves
43.
An organ pipe of length L is open at one end and closed at the other. Which of the following
gives the wavelength of the second harmonic standing wave in the pipe?
A.
44.
Reagan IB Physics
L
2
B.
L
C.
4L
D.
4L
3
A standing wave is established in air in a pipe with one closed and one open end.
(Total 1 mark)
The air molecules near X are
A.
always at the centre of a compression.
B.
always at the centre of a rarefaction.
C.
sometimes at the centre of a compression and sometimes at the centre of a rarefaction.
D.
never at the centre of a compression or a rarefaction.
45.
The wavelength of a standing (stationary) wave is equal to
A.
the distance between adjacent nodes.
B.
twice the distance between adjacent nodes.
C.
half the distance between adjacent nodes.
D.
the distance between a node and an adjacent antinode.
46.
Which of the following statements is true for a standing wave on a string?
A.
No energy is transferred along the string.
B.
The maximum kinetic energy of each segment of the string is proportional to the
amplitude of the segment.
C.
Each segment of the string oscillates with different phase and frequency.
D.
The amplitude along the string varies with time.
(Total 1 mark)
(Total 1 mark)
(Total 1 mark)
47.
A tube is filled with water and a vibrating tuning fork is held above its open end.
The tap at the base of the tube is opened. As the water runs out, the sound is loudest when the
water level is a distance x below the top of the tube. A second loud sound is heard when the
water level is a distance y below the top. Which of the following is a correct expression for the
wavelength of the sound produced by the tuning fork?
A.
=y
B.
= 2x
C.
=y−x
D.
= 2(y − x)
(Total 1 mark)
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