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 = ?air, n1​ = 1.00acrylic, n2​ = 1.49

A light ray in air (n = 1.00) strikes a flat boundary with acrylic (n = 1.49) at 55° to the normal. Find the angle of refraction θ2, measured from the normal.

n1 = 1.00n2 = 1.49θ1 = 55°
θ2 = °
2.Easy
λ = ?v = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/sf = 95.5 MHz

A radio wave has a frequency of 95.5 MHz and travels at 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s. Find its wavelength λ.

f = 95.5 MHzv = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s
λ = m
3.Medium
S25 m/sO15 m/sf = 500 Hz

A source of 500 Hz moving at 25 m/s and an observer moving at 15 m/s move away from each other. The speed of sound is 343 m/s. Find the frequency f′ that the observer hears.

f = 500 Hzv = 343 m/svs = 25 m/svo = 15 m/s
f′ = Hz
4.Medium
S10 m/sO20 m/sf = 1000 Hz

A source of 1000 Hz moving at 10 m/s and an observer moving at 20 m/s move away from each other. The speed of sound is 343 m/s. Find the frequency f′ that the observer hears.

f = 1000 Hzv = 343 m/svs = 10 m/svo = 20 m/s
f′ = Hz
5.Hard
Fdo​ = 30 cmR = 24 cm

An object is 30 cm in front of a concave mirror with a radius of curvature of 24 cm. Find the magnification m (negative for an inverted image).

do = 30 cmR = 24 cm
m =
6.Hard
λ = ?d = 0.1 mmL = 2.5 m55 mm

Two slits 0.1 mm apart are lit with monochromatic light. On a screen 2.5 m away, bright fringe number 4 lies 55 mm from the central fringe. Find the wavelength λ.

d = 0.1 mmL = 2.5 my4 = 55 mmm = 4
λ = nm

Answer key

  1. 1. θ2 = 33.35 °
  2. 2. λ = 3.141 m
  3. 3. f′ = 445.7 Hz
  4. 4. f′ = 915 Hz
  5. 5. m = −0.6667
  6. 6. λ = 550 nm

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