CSEC Section D - Waves Past Paper Questions
CSEC Section D - Waves Past Paper Questions
CSEC Section D - Waves Past Paper Questions
SECTION D WAVES
1.
a) (i)
Complete Table below by identifying the part of the instrument that vibrates to produce
its sound
(b)
The following is a brief description of how a student estimated the speed of sound in
air.
Standing at a distance d,, 100m from a large wall, I clapped my hands, increasing in
frequency until each clap just coincided with each echo heard.
The time for 0 claps was measured and used to compute the round trip time t. The
speed of sound was then calculated using distance d and the round trip time t.
i)
ii)
iii)
(c)
During a recent thunderstorm, a clap of thunder was heard 12.5 s after the lightning
flashed.
The speed of sound is 340 m/s in air. How many kilometers away was the lightning
strike?
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paper 2 January 2005
2.
a) (i)
(b)
In a track race the starter of the race may be at some considerable distance from the
runners. Consider the case where the distance between a runner and the starter is 40 m,
calculate the time taken for the sound from the starters gun to reach the runner.
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(Speed of sound = 350 m/s)
(c)
The average speed of a world-class sprinter at the race may be 6 m/s. Traveling at that
average speed, what distance could this sprinter have covered in the time taken for the
sound to reach him?
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June 2004
3.
a) (i)
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(b)
i)
ii)
(c)
Name ONE property which these three types of radiation have in common.
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(d)
(e)
4.
a) (i)
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ii.
iii.
Draw two rays of light leaving point A on the object and received by an observer at
points between P and P. Show how these rays appear to come from the image.
iv.
Explain how real and virtual images are formed. State whether the image of the object
in the Figure above is real or virtual.
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(b) (i)
The beam from a laser in Kingston, Jamaica is reflected from a plane mirror on a
satellite. The reflected beam is received in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The figure below
illustrates this situation diagrammatically\. On the diagram draw the normal from the
mirror to the earths surface.
ii.
Use the information given on the diagram to determine the angle of incidence of the
laser light on the mirror.
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June 2001
5.
(a)
Speed, wavelength and frequency are properties of waves. Explain the meaning of each
of these terms when used in connection with a sound wave.
Wavelength
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Wave speed
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Frequency
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(b) (i)
Use the Figure above to determine the wavelength of the water wave
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ii.
The figure below is the displacement vs time graph of a small leaf floating in the path
of the water wave in (i)
(c) (i)
The figure below shows a wave pulse at time t = 0, moving from left to right on the
string.
ii.
The front of the pulse arrives at the position marked, X, at time t = 0.1 s. Sketch on the
axes below, a displacement vs time graph for a small element of rope at X.
June 2000
6. (a)
A transverse wave on the surface of a liquid has a wavelength of 1.8 cm. Explain what
is meant by a transverse wave and the wavelength of the wave.
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(b)
The figure below is a displacement-time graph representing the wave described in part
(a) above.
(i)
(ii)
The figures below show the same wave striking a plane reflecting surface and incident
on a small gap in a plane, reflecting surface respectively. Complete the diagrams to
show the wave (i) after reflection and (ii) after passing through the gap.
The Figure below shows the same wave approaching the gap, which has been
increased, to five times its original size. Complete the figure to show the wave wave
after it has passed through the gap.
June 1999
7. (a)
The table below lists types of waves and their sources. Complete the table by filling in
the blank spaces. In the third column, state whether the waves are transverse or
longitudinal.
Type of Wave
Infra-red radiation
Sound waves
Source
Transverse or longitudinal?
Loud-speaker
TV transmitter
Table 2
(b)
The figure below shows a wave spreading out from the point S. The wave hits the
barrier and is reflected. On the diagram, draw TWO reflected wavefronts and mark,
with an X, the point from which they appear to come.
(c)
The figure below is a graph which represents the variation of the displacement, y, with
time, t, as a wave passes a certain point.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
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(iv)
(v)
On the figure above draw another wave, which has the SAME amplitude
but half the frequency.
June 1998
8 (a)
The scale diagram, in the figure below, shows plane wavefronts incident on a barrier,
which has a narrow gap in it.
(i)
Determine the wavelength of the waves before they reach the barrier.
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(ii)
What will be the wavelength of the waves after they pass through the gap?
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(iii)
(iv)
On the figure below, show what happens when the gap in the barrier is wider.
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(b)
Two speakers, vibrating in phase, are positioned some distance apart in an open space.
The crests of the waves from the speakers are shown on the figure below.
(i)
(ii)
Mark, with the letter C, TWO places on the figure above where constructive
interference is taking place.
(iii)
(iv)
Mark, with a letter D, TWO places on the figure above where destructive interference
is occurring.
(v)
Describe what you would expect to hear as you walk along the line, PQ.
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(vi)
If the two speakers were moved closer together, what effect would this have on what
you hear as you walk along the line PQ?
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June 1997
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9 (a)
Light and sound are both forms of waves. State TWO differences between light waves
and sound waves.
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(b)
The diagram above shows a loudspeaker at the end of a room with an open door
leading into another room. A sound of frequency 255 Hz is emitted.
(i)
Draw ON THE DIAGRAM a representation of the sound wave emerging from the
door.
(ii)
Why is someone standing at Point T able to hear but not able to see the loudspeaker?
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(iii)
If the speed of sound is 340 m/s, calculate the wavelength of the sound waves.
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(c)
In a storm the lightning is often seen a considerable time before the thunder is heard.
(i)
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(ii)
If the lightning is seen 8 seconds before the thunder is heard, calculate the distance of
the thundercloud from the observer.
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(iii)
10.
Short wavelength radio waves (microwaves) have many applications, e.g. in weather
stations.
(i)
The power of the transmitter is 200 KW. What is the total energy in a pulse?
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(iii)
(iv)
To detect a distant object, the pulse is reflected from it and must return to the weather
station before another pulse is emitted. What is the furthest distance at which an object
may be detected using this system?
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June 1993
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11 (a)
(i)
Draw the waves after they have passed through the gap.
(ii)
(b)
Some sound systems have three loudspeakers to cater for the full range of frequencies
to be transmitted. The following table gives the wavelength ranges for three speakers
and frequency.
(i)
From the information given for the squawker, calculate the velocity of sound.
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(ii)
Determine the missing frequency range and insert it in the table above.
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A loudspeaker such as that motioned in (i) and (ii) is positioned in a corridor, 1 metre
wide as shown in the diagram below.
An observer notices that when she stands at X, she hears equally well from the three
speakers. However, when she stands at Y, she hears mainly from one speaker and
much less from the others.
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(iii)
From which speaker does she hear most sound when standing at Y?
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(iv)
With reference to the data in the table and diagram above, give an explanation for her
observations while at Y.
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(c)
The wavefronts shown in the diagrams below represent three different sounds.
P and Q
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ii)
Q and R
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iii)
12.
(a)
(b)
The spectacle lens used in the diagram above has a focal length of 80 cm. It produces a
virtual image of the object being viewed. If the object is 10 cm high and 40 cm from
the lens find, by completing the scale drawing below, the position and magnification of
the image.
June 1991
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13. (a)
The figure below represents a transverse wave on a string vibrating with a frequency of
100 Hz
i)
ii)
b. (i)
The diagrams in the figure above show series of plane wavefronts approaching (i)
a narrow gap and (ii) a wide gap. Complete the diagrams to show the wavefronts
after have passed through EACH gap.
(c)
velocity of 3.0 x 108 m/s, and meeting a plane refracting surface at an angle of 30. The
wavelength of the waves in air is 4.0 x 10-7 m and the velocity of the waves in the
second medium is 2.2 x 108 m.
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Calculate:
i)
ii)
The wavelength of the waves in the second medium and the angle of refraction
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June 1990
14. (a)
The diagram above, drawn to scale, shows plane wavefronts before and after refraction
at an air-glass boundary.
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i)
Find the refractive index of the glass for these waves. Clearly show on the diagram
above all measurements made.
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ii)
(b)
i)
ii)
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c. (i)
The functioning of a human eye depends on refraction. Name the TWO parts of
the eye where refraction takes place.
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ii)Explain why the amount of refraction at one of the two parts is much greater than that
at the other.
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June 1989
PAPER THREE
1. (a)
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8 marks
(b)
The figure below is a magnified view of the cross section of one track of a compact
disk (CD) and its read head.
Information is stored on the CD as a series of hills and valleys stamped into the
aluminium mirror. The information is read by shining light from a laser source at X
through the clear plastic layer so that it is reflected towards the sensor at Y, which has a
very tiny opening.
i)
If the laser light beam follows the path shown in the figure below, calculate the
refractive index of the clear plastic.
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5 marks
ii)
The track moves to the left (read head does not move) so that EF becomes the
reflecting surface ( see the figure above). With the aid of a diagram showing the beam
reflected from surface EF through the plastic and into the air, explain why the
emerging beam will miss the sensor.
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7 marks
total 20 marks
June 2004
2. (a)
With the aid of a neat clearly-labelled diagram, describe an experiment to show that
when light is reflected from a plane surface the angle of incidence and angle of
reflection are equal.
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(b)
8 marks
Some Internet Source Providers (companies that provide connection to the Internet and
are known as ISPs) communicate with their customers via line-of-sight microwave
links. A microwave antenna at the customers premises should be able to see the
ISPs antenna in order that the customer can carry on two-way communication with the
Internet.
Consider such a link operating at 2.5 x 109 Hz with 30 km between customer site and
ISP antenna.
i)
What is the wavelength and period of the microwave signal between customer and
provider? (The velocity of light C = 3 x 108 m/s.
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ii)
Calculate in microseconds the time it takes for a signal to travel between customer and
provider and back again to customer.
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iii)
Explain why the customer may still have communication even if her antenna is unable
to see the ISPs antenna directly.
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12 marks
total 20 marks
June 2003
3. (a)
Describe an experiment to verify Snells law of refraction. State what apparatus you
would use, give a brief description of the method you would use and state how you
would arrive at your conclusion.
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8 marks
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(b)
i)
If light is incident at 60 on the block with the smaller refractive index, determine the
angles 1, 2, 3,4, and 5.
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ii)
4. (a)
Describe a simple experiment for measuring the speed of sound in air. Give ONE
method of improving the accuracy of your measurements.
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8 marks
(b)
i)
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ii)
If the distance between the points of maximum displacement of the cone is 0.6 cm,
sketch a well-labelled displacement-time graph for the motion of the cone. Indicate on
your graph the points of maximum and minimum cone velocity.
(speed of sound =
350 m/s)
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iii)
If the maximum displacement of the cone is increased, what is the effect on the
(a)
(b)
5. (a) (i)
Explain with the aid of a diagram, how the human eye forms an image.
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ii)
State the characteristics of the image formed and compare the properties of this image
with that formed by a diverging lens.
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8 marks
(b)
The figure above shows a thick-bottomed, glass aquarium containing water. A beam of
light from a submerged source, S, is incident on the base at point X. the angle of
incidence at X is 58. If the refractive index of light going from water to glass is 1.13,
calculate the
i)
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ii)
critical angle for light striking the glass to air boundary. (refractive index for air to
glass = 1.50)
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6 marks
(c)
use the angles you have calculated to draw a diagram showing the path of the refracted
beam after it leaves X. Partial reflection also occurs at X. Draw the reflected ray on
your diagram.
6 marks
Total 20 marks
June 2000
6. (a)
with the aid of ray diagrams explain the terms refractive index and critical angle.
Draw a ray diagram to show how a right-angled isosceles glass prism can be used to
turn a ray of light through 180, and identify an optical instrument that utilises this
property.
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8 marks
b. (i)
a ray of light travelling in water at a speed of 2.25 x 10 8 m/s strikes the water surface as
in the figure below. Determine the refractive index of the water and calculate the
maximum angle the beam can make with the normal if the light is to enter the air.
(Speed of light in air = 3.00 x 108 m/s)
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6 marks
ii)
the light source is replaced by a detector of light, and a ray is then shone on the surface
o the water form the air. Is there any angle of incidence at which no light enters the
water? Explain.
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3 marks
(c)
the figure below shows three rays entering a specially shaped piece of glass called a
prismatic window. The angle of incidence of the two outer rays on the surfaces AB and
CD is greater than the critical angle for glass. Copy and complete the diagram to show
the passage of the rays through the window.
3 marks
total 20 marks
June 1999
7. (a)
sometimes light is treated as waves and other times it is represented by straight lines or
rays.
i)
Describe, with the aid of a diagram, an experiment to show that light does consist of
waves.
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5 marks
ii)
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iii)
Light can be treated as rays travelling in straight lines because diffraction is usually
negligible. Explain why this is so, an give an example of an observation or
demonstration which supports the view that light travels in straight lines.
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(b)
Data :
Speed of light in air
= 3. 0 x 108 m/s
Calculate the refractive index of the glass and find the smallest possible value for
angle, i, if the light is to undergo total internal reflection.
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5 marks
ii)
Calculate the frequency of the light in air and the frequency and wavelength of the light
in the glass fibre.
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7 marks
total 20 marks
June 1998
8.
The diagram below shows a boy doing his homework. He has difficulty reading his
book under the small light bulb.
(a)
In your answer booklet, draw a ray diagram to show the shadow produced by his head
on the table. What difference would it make to the shadow if the light bulb were
replaced by a long fluorescent tube? Draw a diagram to illustrate this case.
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5 marks
(b)
Light is form of electromagnetic (e.m.) waves. Name THREE other types of e.m.
waves and state which of the three has the longest wavelength.
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3 marks
c. (i)
ii)
A beam of low-frequency radiation is incident upon the surface of the sea at an angle of
15 as shown in the diagram below.
If the speed of the radiation is reduced to 2.5 x 10 8 m/s in water, determine the angle of
refraction. What is the wavelength and frequency of the radiation in water?
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6 marks
iii)
If radiation of the same frequency is emitted by the submarine which is under water, at
what angle of incidence would total internal reflection occur in the sea.
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3 marks
total 20 marks
June 1997
9. (a) (i)
Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of an image by a diverging lens. State,
with ONE reason, whether you think the image is virtual or real.
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3 marks
ii)
One defect of the eye is short-sight. Explain what this term means.
Draw a ray diagram to show how a diverging lens may be used to correct this defect.
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4 marks
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(b)
When a converging lens forms a real image of an object, the magnification of the
image can be calculated from the equation
Magnification = image distance/object distance
With the aid of a ray diagram, show that this relationship is true.
3 marks
(c)
A converging lens is used to form a real image of an object placed 15 cm away from it.
Given that the image is twice as high as the object, by means of a scale drawing,
determine the focal length of the lens.
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9 marks
total 20 marks
June 1996
10. (a)
Given a straight vibrator and a ripple tank, describe how you would demonstrate the
reflection and refraction of water waves. Draw diagrams to represent what would be
observed in EACH case.
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8 marks
(b)
i)
The ultra-sound used has a frequency of 8.0 x 106 Hz. Calculate the wavelength of the
ultra-sound in bone.
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3 marks
ii)
Use the information in the table to calculate the angle of refraction in the bone. Copy
and complete the diagram to show what happens to the ultra-sound.
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5 marks
iii)
Ultra-sound can be totally reflected at certain boundaries. What is the critical angle for
ultra-sound incident upon the muscle-bone boundary?
Is total reflection possible as ultra-sound, travelling in muscle, meets the air? Explain
your answer.
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4 marks
total 20 marks
June 1995
In terms of the wave theory, explain why refraction of light occurs. Illustrtae your
answer with a labelled diagram.
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ii)
4 marks
With the aid of ray diagram, explain the terms refractive index and critical angle.
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(b)
4 marks
A ray of light hits a block of ice at P, as shown in the diagram below. The refractive
index of ice is 1.6.
i)
ii)
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iii)
Draw a large diagram to show the path of the ray of light through the ice. Mark the
sizes of the angles of incidence and show clearly where the ray leaves the ice.
6 marks
total 20 marks
June 1994
12. (a)
Newton investigated light and observed that light of several colours appeared on a
screen when white light was passed through a prism.
Use fully labelled diagrams to illustrate how Newton used two prisms to show that
i)
The different colours were merely components of white light and not the result of the
interaction of white light with the material of the prism.
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ii)
Any single colour produced by one prism could NOT be split into other clours.
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8 marks
(b)
41
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7 marks
(c)
In some older people, the eye lens becomes opaque. This condition is known as a
cataract and is sometimes corrected by removal of the eye lens. Use a diagram to
illustrate what effect this removal will have on the eyes ability to form images on the
retina and state what type of spectacle lens may correct this problem.
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5 marks
Total 20 marks
June 1993
13. (a)
Describe, with the aid of a diagram, an investigation to measure the critical angle of
glass or perspex.
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42
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8 marks
(b)
An object is at the bottom of a water-filled tank. When it is viewed from above it does
not appear to be at its actual position. Draw a ray diagram to illustrate this and state
what is observed.
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4 marks
(c)
The figure above represents a ray of light leaving a light pipe through the face YZ. The
light ray is incident at M at an angle of 68 to the normal. Given that the critical angle
is 42 for the glass-air interface, calculate
i)
ii)
43
8 marks
Total 20 marks
June 1992
14. (a)
Describe, with the aid of diagrams where appropriate, observations which lead us to
believe that:
i)
ii)
(b)
Plane sound waves travelling IN AIR are incident, at an angle, on a flat water surface.
Their wavelength is 5.0 m. The speed of sound in air id 300 m/s, but it increases to
1500 m/s.
Draw a diagram showing the approximate directions and wavelengths of the waves as
they cross the air-water boundary.
Calculate the frequency and wavelength of sound waves in the water.
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44
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7 marks
(c)
The sound waves can only enter the water if the angle of incidence is small enough.
Account for this observation and calculate the maximum size of the angle of incidence
for the sound to enter the water.
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5 marks
June 1991
15. (a)
The table below shows the values for frequency and wavelength of certain waves, A, B
and C, travelling on deep sea water.
Wavelength/m
Frequency/Hz
10
1.5
0.5
Calculate the speed of the waves in EACH case and state TWO ways in which the speed
of deep sea waves differs from that of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum.
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5 marks
(b)
45
(c)
Sound waves are used in echo sounding to find the depth of the sea at different places
e.g. under oil-rigs. The sound wave sent out at the surface of the sea is reflected from
the sea bed and the time taken for the echo to return is measured.
Near an oil-rig, the echo returns in 4.6 seconds. If the speed of sound in water is
1500 m/s, calculate the depth of the sea near this oil rig.
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4 marks
(d)
= 300 m/s
= 1500 m/s
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8 marks
June 1990
16. (a)
With reference to a converging lens, what is meant by the term focal length?
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2 marks
(b)
By means of well-labelled diagrams, show how a converging lens can form (i) a REAL
IMAGE and (ii) a VIRTUAL IMAGE.
Give a practical example of a useful application of EACH type of image.
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6 marks
(c)
An object placed 20 cm from a converging lens and along its axis produces an image
60 cm from the lens. Determine by scale drawing, the focal length of the lens if the
image is formed on the opposite side of the lens from the object. (Use graph paper)
(d)
If the object were now placed 60 cm from the lens, state where the image would be
formed and what its height would be, relative to that of the object.
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4 marks
June 1989