Waves, sound & optics worksheet with answers

Free printable Waves, sound & optics worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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1.Easy
55°θ₂ = ?glycerol, n1​ = 1.47crown glass, n2​ = 1.50

A light ray in glycerol (n = 1.47) strikes a flat boundary with crown glass (n = 1.50) at 55° to the normal. Find the angle of refraction θ2, measured from the normal.

n1 = 1.47n2 = 1.50θ1 = 55°
θ2 = °
2.Easy
Pβ = 50 dB

The sound intensity level at a point is 50 dB. Find the sound intensity I.

β = 50 dBI0 = 10⁻¹² W/m²
I = µW/m²
3.Medium
S10 m/sOf = 600 Hz

A source of 600 Hz moves at 10 m/s towards a stationary observer. The speed of sound is 343 m/s. Find the frequency f′ that the observer hears.

f = 600 Hzv = 343 m/svs = 10 m/s
f′ = Hz
4.Medium
S34 m/sOf = 600 Hz

A source of 600 Hz moves at 34 m/s away from a stationary observer. The speed of sound is 343 m/s. Find the frequency f′ that the observer hears.

f = 600 Hzv = 343 m/svs = 34 m/s
f′ = Hz
5.Hard
λ = 450 nmd = 0.1 mmL = 1.5 my = ?

Light of wavelength 450 nm falls on two slits 0.1 mm apart. The screen is 1.5 m away. Find the distance y5 from the central bright fringe to bright fringe number 5.

λ = 450 nmd = 0.1 mmL = 1.5 mm = 5
y5 = mm
6.Hard
λ = ?d = 0.4 mmL = 1.2 m1.95 mm

Two slits 0.4 mm apart are lit with monochromatic light. On a screen 1.2 m away, bright fringe number 1 lies 1.95 mm from the central fringe. Find the wavelength λ.

d = 0.4 mmL = 1.2 my1 = 1.95 mmm = 1
λ = nm

Answer key

  1. 1. θ2 = 53.4 °
  2. 2. I = 0.1 µW/m²
  3. 3. f′ = 618 Hz
  4. 4. f′ = 545.9 Hz
  5. 5. y5 = 33.75 mm
  6. 6. λ = 650 nm

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