PHYSICS CONNECTION
Use a stationary pattern to measure wave speed
The pattern fitted into a string or air column determines the wavelength. Together with the frequency, it gives the wave speed.
v = fλ
Follow the reasoning
- Identify nodes and antinodes from the boundary conditions.
- Relate the apparatus length to the correct fraction of wavelength.
- Multiply wavelength by frequency.
OFFICIAL OCR QUESTIONS
Try it in a past paper 4
Open the question, then use its mark scheme to check your work.
Question 5
Relate the frequency of an open pipe to its length.
Question 6
Use an oscilloscope trace and a resonance tube to identify frequencies and wave patterns.
Question 22
Explain a stationary sound wave and improve a speed-of-sound measurement.
Question 7
Analyse a resonance-tube graph to determine sound speed and its uncertainty.
A curated collection checked against the question papers and mark schemes; not a complete past-paper catalogue. Links open official OCR PDFs in a new tab.
ORIGINAL PHYSICSUK QUESTIONS
Put the ideas to work
More practice is on its way
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Specification outcomes (5)
- 4.4.4(e)(i) Describe stationary wave patterns for stretched strings and air columns in closed and open tubes.
- 4.4.4(f) Understand that the separation between adjacent nodes or antinodes is equal to λ / 2.
- 4.4.4(g) Define the fundamental mode (first harmonic) and describe higher harmonics.
- 4.4.1(c) Use 1/T = f to relate period and frequency.
- 4.4.1(d) Use the wave equation v = fλ.