CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

Exam-style questions and sample answers have been written by the authors. In examinations, the way marks are awarded
may be different.

Coursebook answers
Chapter 13
Exam-style questions 1
7 separation of slits d = 5000 = 2.0 × 10−4 cm
1 B[1] = 2.0 × 10−6 m[1]
2 a First maximum when n = 1:
Displacement

λ 656 × 10 −9
sin θ = = = 0.328[1]
d 2.0 × 10 −6
0
Distance so, t = sin−1 0.328 = 19.1°[1]
Second maximum when n = 2:
2λ 2 × 656 × 10 −9
sin θ = = = 0.656 [1]
d 2.0 × 10 −6
The dashed line represents the resultant
so, θ = sin−1 0.656 = 41.0°[1]
wave.[2]
8 a  Superposition is the algebraic summing
(Your diagram should show a good
of the displacements[1]
attempt to sum the two waves.)
of two (or more) waves.[1]
b W
 avelength is the same as that of the
longer wave.[1] b λ = ax
D [1]

3 a 
More rounded[1] leading to
λ D 590 × 10 −9 × 1.8 × 12
b Even flatter[1] a = = [1]
x 16.8 × 10 −3
4 R
 adio waves have a long enough
a = 6.3 × 10−4 m[1]
wavelength, up to 1 km, that they can
diffract round the hills.[1] c i 
More fringes seen on screen or fringe
 V waves have very short wavelength
T brightness decreases less from middle
(centimetres or millimetres), so cannot to edge of screen[1]
diffract round the hills.[1] Less bright[1]
5 a  Using ax = ld[1] ii Fringes wider / farther apart[1]
wavelength λ = ax
d
= 1.58×.01.2
= 0.225 m ≈ Same brightness[1]
0.23 m[1]
9 a 
Coherent: constant phase difference[1]
b v = fλ; 330 = f × 0.225[1] Monochromatic: very small or no
f = 1470 Hz ≈ 1500 Hz[1] range of wavelengths/frequencies[1]
6 When the waves are in phase, they add up b i 
First order produced by waves with
to give loud sound.[1] path difference of one wavelength[1]
 hey gradually go out of phase, and when
T
Second order produced by
they are in antiphase, the sound is at its
waves with path difference of
quietest.[1]
two wavelengths[1]
The waves gradually come back into phase
and become loud again.[1]

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics – Sang, Jones, Chadha & Woodside
1 © Cambridge University Press 2020
 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVEL PHYSICS: COURSEBOOK

ii Any two from: 11 a 

Spreading out of a wave after passing
Lines at end A are further apart or through a gap in a barrier[1]
lines at end B are closer together[1] or around an object[1]
Lines at end A are thinner or lines b i, ii and iii
at end B are wider[1]
Lines at end A are brighter or lines
at end B are dimmer[1]
iii nλ = d sin θ 
[1]
sin 19.5ο
n = 1, leading to λ = 5000 × 102 [1]

λ = 6.68 × 10−7 ≈ 6.7 × 10−7 m[1]
0
iv sin θ = nDl leading to
min
sin θ  = 2 × 6.68 × 10−7 × 5000 × 102 [1]
1
 = 41.8 ° ≈ 42°[1]
θ
10 a 
The superposition of two waves 180°
out of phase[1]
to give (nearly) zero resultant.[1]
b λ = ax
D
leading to x = Dal One mark for each line (the min
1.2 × 1.5 × 10 −2 line and the 1 line can be above the
=  12.5 × 10 −2
[1]
central line)[3]
number of fringes in 45 cm distance =
c λ = ax
D [1]
45 × 10 −2
= 3.125[1]
x −2 −2
Three maxima[1] leading to = 18 × 1060 ××1012−2× 10 [1]
8 λ = 3.6 × 10−2 m (or 3.6 cm)[1]
c c = fλ leading to f = 13.5.0××1010−2 [1]
f = 2.0 × 1010 Hz[1]

Cambridge International AS & A Level Physics – Sang, Jones, Chadha & Woodside
2 © Cambridge University Press 2020