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
40°θ₂ = ?glycerol, n1​ = 1.47diamond, n2​ = 2.42

A light ray in glycerol (n = 1.47) strikes a flat boundary with diamond (n = 2.42) at 40° to the normal. Find the angle of refraction θ2, measured from the normal.

n1 = 1.47n2 = 2.42θ1 = 40°
θ2 = °
2.Easy
λ = 3 mv = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/sf = ?

A radio wave travels at 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s with a wavelength of 3 m. Find its frequency f.

λ = 3 mv = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s
f = MHz
3.Medium
FF1.5 cmdo​ = 60 cmf = −8 cm

An object 1.5 cm tall stands 60 cm in front of a thin diverging lens with a focal length of 8 cm. Find the image height hi (negative for an inverted image).

ho = 1.5 cmdo = 60 cmf = −8 cm
hi = cm
4.Medium
P4 × 70 dB

One machine gives a sound level of 70 dB at a certain point. Find the level β at that point when 4 identical machines run at the same time (incoherent sources).

β1 = 70 dBn = 4
β = dB
5.Hard
λ = ?3.8°

A grating with 100 lines per millimetre shows the order-1 maximum of a spectral line at 3.8° from the straight-through direction. Find the wavelength λ of the line.

N = 100 mm⁻¹θ1 = 3.8°m = 1
λ = nm
6.Hard
Fdo​ = 25 cmR = 24 cm

An object is 25 cm in front of a convex mirror with a radius of curvature of 24 cm. Find the magnification m (negative for an inverted image).

do = 25 cmR = 24 cm
m =

Answer key

  1. 1. θ2 = 22.98 °
  2. 2. f = 100 MHz
  3. 3. hi = 0.1765 cm
  4. 4. β = 76.02 dB
  5. 5. λ = 662.7 nm
  6. 6. m = 0.3243

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