Question 1

Multiple choiceMedium1 mark

Two sinusoidal waves, each of amplitude aa and wavelength λ\lambda travel in opposite directions along a string and form a standing wave. There is a displacement node at x=0x=0 Points PP and QQ are at x=λ/12x=\lambda/12 and x=λ/3x=\lambda/3 respectively. What is the ratio of the oscillation amplitude at PP to that at QQ and what is the phase difference between their oscillations?

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Answer: C. For two equal waves forming a standing wave with a node at x=0x=0 the amplitude at position xx is 2a∣sin⁡(2πx/λ)∣2a|\sin(2\pi x/\lambda)| Thus AP=aA_P=a and AQ=3aA_Q=\sqrt{3}a giving AP/AQ=1/3A_P/A_Q=1/\sqrt{3} Both points lie between the same pair of adjacent nodes, so their oscillations are in phase and their phase difference is 00

A: reverses the requested amplitude ratio.
B: finds the ratio correctly but treats points in the same segment between nodes as oscillating in antiphase.
D: assumes amplitude is proportional to distance from the node, giving xP/xQ=1/4x_P/x_Q=1/4

Remember: points in the same segment between adjacent nodes oscillate in phase.

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