Answers to exam-style questions

Topic 9
Where appropriate, 1 ✓ = 1 mark
1 B
2 D
3 A
4 D
5 A
6 B
7 A
8 C
9 A (The question should have referred to the wavelength in air)
10 C
11 a In simple harmonic motion the acceleration is opposite to and proportional to the displacement from the
equilibrium position. ✓
This means that a graph of acceleration against time should a straight line through the origin with a negative slope. ✓
Which is what this graph is. ✓
b i The amplitude is 2.6 cm. ✓
12 −1
ii The gradient is −ω 2 = − −2 ⇒ ω = 15.19 rad s ✓
5.2 × 10
15.19
ω = 2π f ⇒ f = = 2.4 Hz ✓
2π
1 1
c i E max = mω 2 x 02 = × 0.25 × 15.19 2 × (2.6 × 10 −2 )2 ✓
2 2
E = 1.9479 × 10 ≈ 1.9 × 10 −2 J ✓
−2
max
1
ii E K = E P ⇒ E K = E max ✓
2
1
E K = × 1.9497 × 10 −2 = 9.75 × 10 −3 J ✓
2
1 2 × 9.75 × 10 −3
× 0.25 × v 2 = 9.75 × 10 −3 ⇒ v = = 0.279 ≈ 0.30 m s −1 ✓
2 0.25
d Correct shape of parabola. ✓
Correct intercepts. ✓
E × 10–2 J
2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

–3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3
x / cm

physics for the IB Diploma © Cambridge University Press 2015 ANSWERS TO EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS – Topic 9 1
 12 a i Light diffracting from each slit arrives at the screen. ✓
At those positions where the phase difference between the 2 waves is 0 the resulting amplitude is twice that
of the wave from just one slit and we have bright fringes (constructive interference). ✓
λD sd
ii The separation of the bright fringes is given by s = and so λ = . ✓
d D
1.86 × 10 −2 × 0.120 × 10 −3
λ= ✓
3.60
λ = 6.20 × 10 −7 m ✓

b Correct overall shape. ✓
Correct peak intensity. ✓
Correct separation of fringes. ✓
I / Wm–2
80

60

40

20

–20 –10 0 10 20
θ / mrad

nλ 2 × 6.2 × 10 −7
c i d sin θ = nλ ⇒ d = = = 1.462 × 10 −6 m = 1.462 × 10 −3 mm ✓
sin θ sin 58°
1
Hence number of rulings per mm is =684 ✓
1.462 × 10 −3
ii We must have that 1.462 × 10 −6 × sin 58° = nλ so that nλ = 1.2398 × 10 −6 m. ✓
n = 1 does not lead to a visible wavelength. ✓
1.2398 × 10 −6
We cannot have n = 2 so we try n = 3 to find λ = = 4.13 × 10 −7 m which fits the visible
spectrum. ✓ 3
No other value of n gives a visible wavelength. ✓
13 a Parallel reflected rays in red. ✓
Correct refraction of one of the rays. ✓
incident

MgF2 d

glass

b At reflection point between air and magnesium fluoride. ✓
At reflection point between magnesium fluoride and glass. ✓
c At normal incidence the path difference is 2d and the phase difference due to reflection is zero. ✓
1
Hence for destructive interference 2dn = (m + )λ . ✓
2
λ 5.0 × 10 −7
Giving for the least thickness (m = 0) d = = = 9.1 × 10 −8 m. ✓
4n 4 × 1.38

2 ANSWERS TO EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS – Topic 9 physics for the IB Diploma © Cambridge University Press 2015
 14 a The number of secondary maximum is 2 less than the number of slits. ✓
And we have 2 secondary maxima. ✓
b i The secondary maxima becomes less pronounced. ✓
The primary maxima become brighter. ✓
The primary maxima become narrower. ✓
ii The separation between the primary maxima increases. ✓
656.45 + 656.27
c The average wavelength is = 656.36 nm. ✓
2
λ 656.36
From = mN we have that = 2 × N. ✓
∆λ 656.45 − 656.27
N = 1823 ✓
15 a The first minimum is at 0.175 mrad. ✓
λ λ 5.0 × 10 −7
And so from θ = 1.22 we find b = 1.22 = 1.22 × = 3.49 × 10 −3 m. ✓
b θ 0.175 × 10 −3
b i Same shape. ✓
With maximum coinciding with first minimum of the other pattern. ✓
Intensity
1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

–0.2 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6

−2
ii The angular separation of the two sources is 3.0 × 10 where D is their distance from the slit. ✓
D
3.0 × 10 −2 3.0 × 10 −2
According to Rayleigh, = 0.175 × 10 −3 giving D = = 171 ≈ 170 m. ✓
D 0.175 × 10 −3
16 a The change in observed frequency when there is relative motion between the source and the observer. ✓
b Circular wavefronts. ✓
Bunching in front of the source. ✓

stationary
observer

source moving

physics for the IB Diploma © Cambridge University Press 2015 ANSWERS TO EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS – Topic 9 3
 c Ultrasound is directed at moving particles in the blood stream and the reflection is recorded. ✓
From the frequency shift it is possible to measure the speed of blood flow. ✓
d The speed of the point on the disc is 2π × 0.20 = 10.0 m s −1. ✓
1
8
340
The frequencies received range from × 2400 Hz = 2331 ≈ 2300 Hz when source moves away from
observer, ✓ 340 + 10

to 340
× 2400 Hz = 2473 ≈ 2500 Hz when source moves towards the observer. ✓
340 − 10
The wavelengths correspondingly vary from 340 = 0.137 ≈ 0.14 m to 340 = 0.146 ≈ 0.15 m. ✓
2473 2331

4 ANSWERS TO EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS – Topic 9 physics for the IB Diploma © Cambridge University Press 2015