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IB Physics SL C.4 Standing Waves and Resonance Question Bank

Practise IB Physics SL C.4 by explaining standing waves, resonance, nodes, antinodes and boundary conditions in strings and air columns.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Physics SL
Level
SL

Exam points

  • Identify nodes and antinodes and relate spacing to wavelength in standing-wave patterns.
  • Use resonance and boundary conditions to determine allowed frequencies in strings or pipes.
  • Interpret amplitude, phase and energy-transfer evidence in standing-wave experiments.

Covered syllabus points

C.4.1—Standing wave formationC.4.2—Nodes and antinodesC.4.3—Strings and pipesC.4.4—ResonanceC.4.5—Damping and resonanceC.4.6—Types of damping

C.4 Standing waves and resonance question 1

[Maximum number: 7]

Question (a)

(a)

A loudspeaker emits sound of frequency 210 Hz into a pipe with one open and one closed end. The diagram shows a representation of the standing wave established in the pipe.

Figure for Question (a) — IB Physics SL
[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

Outline how the standing wave is formed in the pipe.

[ 2 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Determine the wavelength of the wave.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

The solid line represents the standing wave at time t and the dotted line represents the standing wave at an instant later. The dot is the equilibrium position of a particle P in the pipe. The up arrow indicates displacements to the right and the down arrow displacements to the left.

Figure for Question (b) — IB Physics SL

On the diagram, draw

[ 2 ]

Question (i)

(i)

a dot to indicate the approximate position of P at time t,

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

an arrow to indicate the velocity of P at time t.

[ 1 ]

Question (c)

(c)

The frequency of sound is reduced to 140 Hz . Explain why a standing wave will not be formed in the pipe.

[ 2 ]
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