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.

New worksheetPractise online with hints

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy
λ = 4.8 mv = 1.2 m/sf = ?

A water wave travels at 1.2 m/s with a wavelength of 4.8 m. Find its frequency f.

λ = 4.8 mv = 1.2 m/s
f = Hz
2.Easy
L = 1.5 m

A string of length 1.5 m and mass 6 g carries transverse waves at 223.6 m/s. Find the tension T in the string.

L = 1.5 mm = 6 gv = 223.6 m/s
T = N
3.Medium
L = ?n = 1

A string fixed at both ends must have its fundamental (first harmonic) at 67 Hz; waves travel on it at 80 m/s. Find its length L.

v = 80 m/sn = 1f1 = 67 Hz
L = m
4.Medium
L = 0.75 mn = 1

A string fixed at both ends is 0.75 m long; waves travel on it at 200 m/s. Find the frequency f1 of its fundamental (first harmonic).

v = 200 m/sn = 1L = 0.75 m
f1 = Hz
5.Hard
λ = 550 nma = 0.12 mmL = 3 m

Light of wavelength 550 nm passes through a single slit 0.12 mm wide. Find the width w of the central bright maximum on a screen 3 m away (between the first dark fringes on either side).

λ = 550 nma = 0.12 mmL = 3 m
w = mm
6.Hard
λ = 480 nmd = 0.15 mmL = 3 my = ?

Light of wavelength 480 nm falls on two slits 0.15 mm apart. The screen is 3 m away. Find the distance y3 from the central bright fringe to bright fringe number 3.

λ = 480 nmd = 0.15 mmL = 3 mm = 3
y3 = mm

Answer key

  1. 1. f = 0.25 Hz
  2. 2. T = 200 N
  3. 3. L = 0.597 m
  4. 4. f1 = 133.3 Hz
  5. 5. w = 27.5 mm
  6. 6. y3 = 28.8 mm

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.