A ripple tank is used to demonstrate the interference of water waves. Two dippers D1 and D2 produce coherent waves that have circular wavefronts, as illustrated in Fig. 5.1. [Figure 5.1] The lines in the diagram represent crests. The waves have a wavelength of 6.0 cm.
- (a)One condition that is required for an observable interference pattern is that the waves must be coherent.
- (a)(i)Describe how the apparatus is arranged to ensure that the waves from the dippers are coherent. [1][1]
- (a)(ii)State one other condition that must be satisfied by the waves in order for the interference pattern to be observable. [1][1]
- (b)Light from a lamp above the ripple tank shines through the water onto a screen below the tank. Describe one way of seeing the illuminated pattern more clearly. [1][1]
- (c)The speed of the waves is 0.40ms⁻¹. Calculate the period of the waves. period = .................................................... s [2][2]
- (d)Fig. 5.1 shows a point X that lies on a crest of the wave from D1 and midway between two adjacent crests of the wave from D2. For the waves at point X, state:
- (d)(i)the path difference, in cm path difference = ................................................. cm [1][1]
- (d)(ii)the phase difference. phase difference = .................................................... ° [1][1]
- (e)On Fig. 5.1, draw one line, at least 4cm long, which joins points where only maxima of the interference pattern are observed. [1][1]
This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.
Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2019). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- [B1] the dippers are connected to the same vibrator/motor
- [B1] (the overlapping waves have) similar/same amplitude
- [B1] any means of 'freezing' the pattern e.g. use a stroboscope/strobe
- [C1] vT = λ; or v = fλ and f = 1/T
- [A1] T = 0.060/0.40; = 0.15 s
- [A1] path difference = 3.0 cm
- [A1] phase difference = 180°
- [B1] line drawn joining points where only maxima are observed (i.e. through points where wavefronts intersect) of length at least 4 cm
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