Stationary waves: past paper questions

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The diagram shows a stationary wave on a stretched spring at an instant in time. Two particles on the spring, P and Q, are shown. Which statement about the vibrations of P and Q is correct?

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  In an experiment, a stationary wave is formed on a string stretched horizontally between two fixed points. Which statement about the experiment is correct?

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• Question 30Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Two progressive sound waves move in opposite directions and superpose to form a stationary wave. Which statement describes an antinode of this stationary wave?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  With reference to the direction of transfer of energy, compare the oscillations of transverse and longitudinal progressive waves.

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What can explain how stationary waves are formed from progressive waves?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 23Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  A stationary wave is formed on a string XY that has a length of $0.48\text{ m}$. Fig. 5.1 shows the string at one instant in time. Fig. 5.1 The speed of the wave on the string is $1400{\text{ ms}}^{-1}$.

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• Question 23May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A stationary sound wave is set up between a loudspeaker and a wall. A microphone is connected to a cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO) and is moved along a line directly between the loudspeaker and the wall.

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement concerning a stationary wave is correct?

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• Question 30May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Two waves meet. What is not a necessary condition for the waves to produce a stationary wave?

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• Question 26Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Stationary sound waves can be formed in the air columns of pipes. One type of pipe is closed at one end and open at the other end. Another type of pipe is open at both ends.

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• Question 5May/June 2024, paper 21Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  A stretched string PQ has length $1.2\text{ m}$. One end of the string is attached to a vibration generator and the other end is attached to a wall, as shown in Fig. 5.1. The vibration generator is switched on and a stationary wave is formed on the string.

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• Question 26May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The sound from a loudspeaker placed above a tube causes resonance of the air in the tube.

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• Question 25May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a string stretched between fixed points X and Y. There is a stationary wave on the string. The solid curve shows the string at a position of maximum displacement at time $t_0$. The dashed curve shows the other position of maximum displacement.

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• Question 26May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  The variation with distance $x$ of the intensity $I$ along a stationary sound wave in air is shown. The speed of sound in air is $340\text{ m}{\text{s}}^{-1}$. What is the frequency of the sound wave?

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• Question 5May/June 2023, paper 22Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  A progressive wave travels through a medium. The wave causes a particle of the medium to vibrate along a line P. The energy of the wave propagates along a line Q. Compare the directions of lines P and Q if the wave is: a transverse wave

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• Question 4May/June 2023, paper 23Structured13 marksHas a diagram

  For a progressive wave, state what is meant by the frequency.

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