AQA A-Level Physics (7408)
A-Level Physics
Answer sheet
Waves
Separate mark scheme — do not issue with the student worksheet
Time guide: — · Questions: 32 · Total marks: 104
Written in AQA A-Level style. Use the data and formulae booklet. Show substitution.
Indicative marking points. Award marks for equivalent scientific or mathematical wording. Do not issue this sheet with the student worksheet.
1. State what is meant by phase difference.
[1 mark]
- how far out of step two waves are
2. State what is meant by superposition.
3. State what is meant by Young's double slits.
4. State what is meant by diffraction grating.
5. State what is meant by stationary waves.
[1 mark]
- two opposite travelling waves of the same f
6. State what is meant by the first harmonic.
7. State what is meant by refraction.
8. State what is meant by optical fibre.
9. State what is meant by polarisation.
[1 mark]
- oscillations in one plane
10. State what is meant by a photon in the photoelectric effect.
[1 mark]
- interacts with one electron
11. Amira is asked about phase difference in a AQA Physics paper.
12. Amira is asked about superposition in a AQA Physics paper.
(a) [2 marks]
- constructive and destructive interference
(b) [3 marks]
- path difference nλ or (n+½)λ
13. Amira is asked about Young's double slits in a AQA Physics paper.
(a) [2 marks]
- monochromatic coherent sources
14. Amira is asked about diffraction grating in a AQA Physics paper.
(a) [2 marks]
- sharper maxima than two slits
15. Amira is asked about stationary waves in a AQA Physics paper.
16. Amira is asked about the first harmonic in a AQA Physics paper.
17. w = λD/s. λ=6.0×10⁻⁷, D=1.5, s=0.50×10⁻³
18. nλ = d sinθ. n=1, d=2.0×10⁻⁶, θ=18°. λ
[3 marks]
- Final answer: 6.2 × 10⁻⁷ m
19. First harmonic: L=0.80 m. λ
20. n = 1.5, c=3.0×10⁸. v in glass
[3 marks]
- Final answer: 2.0 × 10⁸ m/s
21. Critical angle if n=1.5 to air
22. Path difference for the 2nd bright fringe
23. Amira carries out a AQA-style required practical linked to waves, superposition and optics. This is a typical AQA required-practical style question.
(a) [2 marks]
- Independent: the independent variable for this topic
- Dependent: the measured outcome
(b) [2 marks]
- keep all other variables constant
- so the test is fair / only one variable is changed
(c) [2 marks]
- repeat and calculate a mean / use a tighter method
24. Amira carries out collecting valid data for waves, superposition and optics. This is a typical AQA required-practical style question.
(a) [2 marks]
- Independent: a chosen factor
- Dependent: a quantitative measurement
(b) [2 marks]
- calibrated instrument
- so the test is fair / only one variable is changed
(c) [2 marks]
- systematic error from zero error
25. Amira carries out drawing a graph for waves, superposition and optics. This is a typical AQA required-practical style question.
(a) [2 marks]
- Independent: x-variable
- Dependent: y-variable
(b) [2 marks]
- same scale / same apparatus
- so the test is fair / only one variable is changed
(c) [2 marks]
- not drawing a line of best fit through the trend
26. Amira carries out evaluating a method about waves, superposition and optics. This is a typical AQA required-practical style question.
(a) [2 marks]
- Independent: method change
- Dependent: precision / accuracy
(b) [2 marks]
- same sample size
- so the test is fair / only one variable is changed
27. Compare phase difference with superposition.
[4 marks]
- how far out of step two waves are
- displacements add
- give one linked difference
28. Compare superposition with Young's double slits.
[4 marks]
- displacements add
- w = λD/s
- give one linked difference
29. Compare Young's double slits with diffraction grating.
[4 marks]
- w = λD/s
- nλ = d sinθ
- give one linked difference
30. Compare diffraction grating with stationary waves.
[4 marks]
- nλ = d sinθ
- two opposite travelling waves of the same f
- give one linked difference
31. Apply your knowledge of refraction to this situation: towards the normal if slower
[3 marks]
- towards the normal if slower
32. Apply your knowledge of optical fibre to this situation: cladding of lower n