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
λ = 1.48 mv = ?f = 1 kHz

A sound wave in water has a frequency of 1 kHz and a wavelength of 1.48 m. Find its speed v.

f = 1 kHzλ = 1.48 m
v = m/s
2.Easy
PI = 2.5 × 10⁻² W/m²

The sound intensity near a rock concert is 2.5 × 10⁻² W/m². Find the sound intensity level β in decibels.

I = 2.5 × 10⁻² W/m²I0 = 10⁻¹² W/m²
β = dB
3.Medium
FFdo​ = 50 cmf = 12 cm

An object stands 50 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 = 50 cmf = 12 cm
di = cm
4.Medium
FFdo​ = 10 cmf = 12 cm

An object stands 10 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 = 10 cmf = 12 cm
di = cm
5.Hard
λ = 500 nma = 0.08 mm

Light of wavelength 500 nm passes through a single slit 0.08 mm wide. Find the angle θ2 of dark fringe number 2 from the straight-through direction.

λ = 500 nma = 0.08 mmm = 2
θ2 = °
6.Hard
λ = 532 nmθ1​ = ?

Light of wavelength 532 nm falls at right angles on a grating with 1200 lines per millimetre. Find the angle θ1 of the order-1 maximum.

N = 1200 mm⁻¹λ = 532 nmm = 1
θ1 = °

Answer key

  1. 1. v = 1480 m/s
  2. 2. β = 104 dB
  3. 3. di = 15.79 cm
  4. 4. di = −60 cm
  5. 5. θ2 = 0.7162 °
  6. 6. θ1 = 39.67 °

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