PHYSICS CONNECTION
Measure wavelength over several repeats of a pattern
Measuring several node spacings can reduce the fractional uncertainty in wavelength. The same approach is useful wherever a repeated pattern provides a measurable length.
λ = 2 × mean adjacent-node spacing
Follow the reasoning
- Identify the same feature at several positions.
- Measure a long separation containing a known number of intervals.
- Divide by the number of intervals before converting to wavelength.
OFFICIAL OCR QUESTIONS
Try it in a past paper 3
Open the question, then use its mark scheme to check your work.
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 (4)
- 4.4.4(e)(ii) Determine speed of sound in air by forming stationary waves in a resonance tube.
- 4.4.4(f) Understand that the separation between adjacent nodes or antinodes is equal to λ / 2.
- 1.1.2(a) How to use a wide range of practical apparatus and techniques correctly.
- 1.1.2(c) Presenting observations and data in an appropriate format.