1.

The Raman effect can be used to identify the chemical composition of solid materials in a nondestructive manner, e.g. to identify fake diamonds. When laser light is shone on a material some
of the light is scattered. The scattered light will be plane polarised and some of it will have been
frequency shifted (that is, it will have undergone a change in frequency). This happens when the
light interacts with the vibrating atoms in the materials. Analysis of these Raman frequency
shifts reveals the chemical composition of the material.
What is meant by plane polarised light?
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(2)

Some of the light will have been frequency shifted by the moving atoms. Name the
phenomenon which caused the frequency shifting and briefly explain how it arises.
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(4)

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The Raman frequency shifts are often measured in wavenumbers. Wavenumber is defined as
1
wavelength .
When laser light of wavelength 1064 nm is shone onto diamond, the scattered light has a Raman
1
wavenumber shift of +1300 cm .
14

Show that the frequency of this scattered light is about 3 10 Hz.

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(5)

A student correctly remarks that if the frequency of the laser light has changed then its energy
must have changed.
State which model of light is being used by this student, and explain what must have happened
to the vibrating atoms in the diamond during this interaction.
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(3)
(Total 14 marks)

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2.

A stationary wave of amplitude 4.0 cm is produced by the superposition of two progressive

waves that travel in opposite directions.
(a)

Define the term amplitude.

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(1)

(b)

The graph below shows the positions of the stationary wave and of one of the two
progressive waves at a particular instant. Apply the principle of superposition to
determine the displacement of the other progressive wave at positions A, B and C on the
distance axis at this same instant.
Displacement at A ........................................................................................................
Displacement at B ........................................................................................................
Displacement at C ........................................................................................................
(3)

Plot these displacement values on the graph.

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Hence draw one complete wavelength of this progressive wave.

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i s p

l a c e m

e n

Sc mt a t i o

a r y

a v

3
2

r o

r e s s i v

a v

1
A

i s t a n

c e

(3)
(Total 7 marks)

3.

Describe, with the aid of a diagram, an experiment to demonstrate stationary waves using
microwaves.

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(4)

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Using the idea of wave superposition, explain what is observed in your experiment.
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(2)

Describe how you could use the experiment to measure the wavelength of microwaves.
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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

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4.

The diagram shows an experiment with sound waves.

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M
S
g

i g n a l
e n e r a t o

i c r o

s p

e a k

s c i l l o

e r
s c o

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e n

c h

A loudspeaker connected to a signal generator is mounted, pointing downwards, above a

horizontal bench. The sound is detected by a microphone connected to an oscilloscope. The
height of the trace on the oscilloscope is proportional to the amplitude of the sound waves at the
microphone.
When the vertical distance x between the microphone and the bench is varied, the amplitude of
the sound waves is found to vary as shown on the graph.
A
m
1 6

l i t u

e / a r b

i t r a r y

i t s

x/ c m

Explain why the amplitude of the sound has a number of maxima and minima.
You may be awarded a mark for the clarity of your answer.
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(5)

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The frequency of the sound waves is 3.20 kHz. Use this, together with information from the
graph, to determine a value for the speed of sound in air.
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Speed of sound = ............................................
(4)

The contrast between the maxima and minima becomes less pronounced as the microphone is
raised further from the surface of the bench. Suggest an explanation for this.
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(2)
(Total 11 marks)

5.

A photographer uses a polarising filter over the camera lens. She notices that the intensity of the
light received from the blue sky changes as she rotates the filter.
What does this suggest about light from the sky?
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(1)

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Explain the change in intensity as the filter is rotated.

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(2)

The use of a polarising filter makes a blue sky appear darker, but the clouds remain bright.
Suggest why there is little change in the intensity of the light from the clouds.
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(1)

Astronomers notice the same effect with the radio waves emitted by some galaxies.
What does this suggest about these radio waves?
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(1)

State why radio waves should behave in the same way as light.
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(1)
(Total 6 marks)

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6.

Describe with the aid of a diagram how you could produce stationary waves on a string.

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(3)

Explain how you could use a stationary wave to determine the speed of travelling waves on the
string. You may be awarded a mark for the clarity of your answer.
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(4)
(Total 7 marks)

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