PHYSICS 30S
COMPLEX WAVE PROBLEMS
Part A: Complex Waves
Solve the problems below on a separate sheet. Draw careful diagrams and SHOW ALL
WORK!
1.
Two sunbathers are floating in a wave pool 12 metres apart. When one is on a crest, the
other is on a trough, and there are no crests or troughs between them. As a crest passes
one, it reaches the other 2 seconds later.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
2.
Two fishing boats are anchored in Lake Winnipeg 80 metres apart. They are both on a
crest at the same time, and there are 4 crests in between them. They each make a
complete up-and-down bobbing motion every 6 seconds.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
3.
Draw and label a picture depicting the situation described above.
What is the wavelength of the wave?
What is the period of the wave?
What is the frequency of the wave?
What is the speed of the wave?
A standing wave is produced in a clothesline 15 metres long. The line is fixed at both
ends, and there are 6 nodal points. The wave travels through the line at a rate of 3 m/s.
a)
b)
c)
d)
4.
Draw and label a picture depicting the situation described above.
What is the wavelength of the wave?
What is the period of the wave?
What is the frequency of the wave?
What is the speed of the wave?
Draw a picture depicting the situation described above. Label the nodes and
antinodes.
What is the wavelength of the wave?
What is the frequency of the wave?
What is the period of the wave?
A standing wave is generated in a wave pool 38 metres long by the up and down motion
of a giant baffle at one end of the pool, 20 times per minute. At the other end of the pool
the water level never changes, and when the waves are at their peak there are 5 crests and
5 troughs along the surface of the water.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Draw a picture depicting the situation described above. Label the nodes and
antinodes.
What is the wavelength of the wave?
What is the frequency of the wave?
What is the period of the wave?
What is the speed of the wave?
Part B: Superposition
In each situation pictured below, the given pulses are advancing towards one another at a
rate of 6 squares per second, therefore after 6 seconds have passed they will be directly
overlapping. Use the principle of superposition to determine the shape of the resultant
pulse at this time, and sketch it in the correct position between the two individual pulses.
1.
2.
3.
4.