Stationary waves: past paper questions
Real questions on stationary waves
The newest 20 of 46 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9702/21 · May/June 2025 · Q4a[2]
State the principle of superposition.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2025 · Q4a[4]
Explain how the stationary wave, including the nodes and the antinodes, is formed. (a) When the device is at position P, a stationary wave is formed between the device and the sheet.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2025 · Q4b(ii)[1]
At point P the receiver detects a maximum amplitude of the stationary wave. The device is moved slowly from point P along the line XY and the receiver detects a series of minimum and maximum amplitudes. The first time a minimum amplitude is detected by the receiver is when the device is at point Q. Determine the distan...
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2025 · Q4b(iii)[1]
The intensity of the microwaves emitted by the device is increased. The frequency of the microwaves is unchanged. The device is moved slowly along the line XY from point Q until the next maximum amplitude is detected at point R. State and explain whether the distance QR is greater than, less than or the same as distanc...
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4b(i)[1]
On Fig. 4.1, draw a letter A at the position of an antinode.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4b(iii)[2]
The piston is moved to the left. The frequency of the sound wave emitted by the loudspeaker is then changed so that a stationary wave is formed with same number of antinodes as in Fig. 4.1. State and explain the change that is made to the frequency of the sound wave.
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · October/November 2024 · Q5a(i)[1]
On Fig. 5.1, draw a cross (×) at one position that is a node and another cross at one position that is an antinode. Label the node N and the antinode A.
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · October/November 2024 · Q5a(ii)[1]
Show that the wavelength of the wave produced is 0.32 m. Explain your reasoning.
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · October/November 2024 · Q5a(iii)[2]
Calculate the frequency of the wave. frequency = Hz
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2024 · Q5b[1]
Calculate the wavelength of the stationary wave shown in Fig. 5.2. wavelength = m
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2024 · Q5c[2]
Fig. 5.3 shows the stationary wave at time t = 0 when all points on the wave are at their maximum displacements. P Q Fig. 5.3 The period of the wave is 0.16 s. On Fig. 5.3, sketch the shape of the stationary wave at time t = 0.24 s.
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2024 · Q5d[1]
Points R and T on the string are a horizontal distance of 0.30 m apart and in the positions shown in Fig. 5.4. 0.30 m R T Fig. 5.4 State the phase difference between the oscillations of points R and T. phase difference = °
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2024 · Q6b(i)[1]
On Fig. 6. 2, draw a cross (×) to show the position of a node.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2024 · Q6b(ii)[1]
State the phase difference between P and Q. phase difference = °
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2024 · Q6b(iii)[1]
State the phase difference between P and R. phase difference = °
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2023 · Q5b(ii)[1]
the length L of the tube L = m
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2023 · Q5b(iii)[1]
the maximum wavelength of the sound from the loudspeaker that can produce a stationary wave in the tube. maximum wavelength = m
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2023 · Q4d(i)[2]
State the principle of superposition.
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2023 · Q4d(ii)[2]
The initial position of the microphone is such that the trace on the CRO has an amplitude minimum. It is now moved a distance of 1.05 m away from the loudspeaker along the line joining the loudspeaker and metal sheet. As the microphone moves, it passes through three positions where the trace has an amplitude maximum be...
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · October/November 2022 · Q4c(i)[2]
Explain, without calculation, why these two waves cannot form a stationary wave with zero amplitude at its nodes.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Only a minority of candidates understood that the distance between P and Q was equal to a quarter of a wavelength. A common misconception was that this distance was equal to half of a wavelength.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/22 Q4(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
This was generally well answered. A significant number of candidates explained that the distance would be the same as the wavelength was unchanged. The given fact that the frequency was unchanged meant that other candidates were able to explain that the intensity change was due only to an amplitude change and not a wavelength change. Some candidates stated only that the frequency had not changed (...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/22 Q4(b)(iii) (Cambridge)
Stronger candidates found it straightforward to calculate the length of the tube. A significant number of the weaker candidates were unable to use the stationary wave pattern to deduce the relationship between the length of the tube and the wavelength of the stationary wave.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9702/22 Q5(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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