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 = ?water, n1​ = 1.33ethanol, n2​ = 1.36

A light ray in water (n = 1.33) strikes a flat boundary with ethanol (n = 1.36) at 55° to the normal. Find the angle of refraction θ2, measured from the normal.

n1 = 1.33n2 = 1.36θ1 = 55°
θ2 = °
2.Easy
λ = ?v = 340 m/sf = 256 Hz

A sound wave in air has a frequency of 256 Hz and travels at 340 m/s. Find its wavelength λ.

f = 256 Hzv = 340 m/s
λ = m
3.Medium
FFdo​ = 18 cmf = 12 cm

An object stands 18 cm in front of a thin converging lens with a focal length of 12 cm. Find the image distance di. Use the sign convention 1/f = 1/do + 1/di (f < 0 for a diverging lens, di < 0 for a virtual image).

do = 18 cmf = 12 cm
di = cm
4.Medium
FFdo​ = 8 cmf = 5 cm

An object stands 8 cm in front of a thin converging lens with a focal length of 5 cm. Find the image distance di. Use the sign convention 1/f = 1/do + 1/di (f < 0 for a diverging lens, di < 0 for a virtual image).

do = 8 cmf = 5 cm
di = cm
5.Hard
λ = 550 nma = 0.12 mm

Light of wavelength 550 nm passes through a single slit 0.12 mm wide. Find the angle θ2 of dark fringe number 2 from the straight-through direction.

λ = 550 nma = 0.12 mmm = 2
θ2 = °
6.Hard
λ = 550 nmθ1​ = ?

Light of wavelength 550 nm falls at right angles on a grating with 400 lines per millimetre. Find the angle θ1 of the order-1 maximum.

N = 400 mm⁻¹λ = 550 nmm = 1
θ1 = °

Answer key

  1. 1. θ2 = 53.23 °
  2. 2. λ = 1.328 m
  3. 3. di = 36 cm
  4. 4. di = 13.33 cm
  5. 5. θ2 = 0.5252 °
  6. 6. θ1 = 12.71 °

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