IB Physics HL C.2 Wave model questions

Exam-style multiple choice and written questions with full markschemes. Check multiple choice answers straight away, or type, photograph or draw a written answer and get it marked.

Question 1

Paper 2Hard10 marks

A cord and a spring each carry a sinusoidal travelling disturbance along the equilibrium xx-axis. Figure 1 shows the displacement of particles from equilibrium at t=0t=0 and t=0.20 st=0.20\ \mathrm{s} plotted against each particle’s equilibrium coordinate xx In the upper panel, yy is the cord-particle displacement perpendicular to xx with positive yy upwards. In the lower panel, uu is the spring-particle displacement along xx with positive uu in the +x+x direction. Each disturbance retains its profile as it travels.

y / mmu / mmx = 0.20 mx = 0.20 m+50+40+30+20+100-10-20-30-40-50+25+20+15+10+50-5-10-15-20-250.000.200.400.600.801.001.201.401.60x / m0.000.200.400.600.801.001.201.401.60x / mt = 0t = 0.20 s
(a)

Determine the direction of propagation and the speed of the disturbance on the cord.

[2]
(b)

State the wavelength of the disturbance on the cord.

[1]
(c)

At x=0.20 mx=0.20\ \mathrm{m} determine the instantaneous velocity of the cord particle at t=0.20 st=0.20\ \mathrm{s} Give your answer with its direction.

[4]
(d)

The spring disturbance is now launched in the opposite direction, with its speed and wavelength unchanged. Describe how its profile at t=0.20 st=0.20\ \mathrm{s} is displaced relative to its profile at t=0t=0 State whether the disturbance is still longitudinal, and explain your answer.

[3]

The best questions are still waiting

Unlock every question in this topic, then type, photograph or draw your answer and have it marked against the markscheme. Find out where you are dropping marks.