A-LevelPhysicsWaves9702/12 · Oct/Nov 2024 · Q241 Mark
A progressive longitudinal sound wave moves through air. The diagram shows the positions of the air particles along part of the wave at one instant. [Figure 24.1] Point Q is a distance x from point P. Which graph shows the variation of the displacement of the air particles with distance from P along the wave?
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.
ADisplacement-distance graph starting at zero, increasing to a positive maximum, decreasing through zero to a negative minimum, then increasing back to zero, completing one full cycle (starts positive).
BDisplacement-distance graph starting at zero, decreasing to a negative minimum, increasing through zero to a positive maximum, then decreasing back to zero, completing one full cycle (starts negative).
CDisplacement-distance graph starting at zero, increasing to a positive maximum, decreasing through zero to a negative minimum, then increasing back to zero, completing one full cycle (starts positive).
DDisplacement-distance graph starting at zero, decreasing to a negative minimum, increasing through zero to a positive maximum, then decreasing back to zero, completing one full cycle (starts negative).
✓ Correct answer
C: Displacement-distance graph starting at zero, increasing to a positive maximum, decreasing through zero to a negative minimum, then increasing back to zero, completing one full cycle (starts positive).
Practise more questions on this topic
Oracle Prep sorts past-paper questions by topic, so you can drill Waves and see which topics are most likely to come up next.
Sign up free →