Question 3

From Physics HL Paper 2 (May 2024, TZ2)

  1. (a) Outline what is meant by a travelling wave. [2]

(b) A loudspeaker emits sound of frequency 210 Hz into a pipe with one open and one closed end. The diagram shows a representation of the standing wave established in the pipe.

Diagram showing a standing wave established in a pipe with one open and one closed end, with a loudspeaker emitting sound into it.
Diagram showing a standing wave established in a pipe with one open and one closed end, with a loudspeaker emitting sound into it.

The length of the pipe is 1.20 m.

(i) Outline how the standing wave is formed in the pipe. [2]

(ii) Determine the wavelength of the wave. [1]

(iii) Calculate the speed of sound in the pipe stating the answer to an appropriate number of significant figures. [2]

(c) The solid line represents the standing wave at time t and the dotted line represents the standing wave at an instant later. The dot is the equilibrium position of a particle P in the pipe. The up arrow indicates displacements to the right and the down arrow displacements to the left.

A diagram showing a standing wave in a pipe with a particle P at its equilibrium position. The solid line represents the wave at time t, and the dashed line represents the wave at a later instant. Arrows indicate displacement directions.
A diagram showing a standing wave in a pipe with a particle P at its equilibrium position. The solid line represents the wave at time t, and the dashed line represents the wave at a later instant. Arrows indicate displacement directions.

On the diagram, draw

(i) a dot to indicate the approximate position of P at time t, [1]

(ii) an arrow to indicate the velocity of P at time t. [1]

(d) The amplitude of oscillations of the standing wave in (b) is 4.2 mm. The mass of particle P in (c) is 1.8 × 10⁻⁶ kg.

Calculate

(i) the total energy of P, [2]

(ii) the displacement of P, when its kinetic energy is equal to its potential energy. [2]

(e) The frequency of sound is reduced to 140 Hz. Explain why a standing wave will not be formed in the pipe. [2]

Textbook topics in this question

Review the exact course sections assessed by each question part.

Mixed-topic question