Lesson 3.3.1.3

3.3.1.3 Superposition and stationary waves Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 3

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.3.1.3, Superposition and stationary waves: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Physics (7408), Unit 3: Waves, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What does the principle of superposition state?

    • The resultant displacement is the sum of the individual displacements
    • The resultant frequency is the average of the frequencies
    • Waves cancel each other after overlapping
    • The resultant speed is the sum of the individual speeds

  2. What is a node in a stationary wave?

    • A point where the wave is at its fastest
    • A point of maximum amplitude
    • A point of zero amplitude
    • A point where the wave has no energy

  3. What is an antinode in a stationary wave?

    • A point at which the particles are stationary
    • A point of zero amplitude
    • A point of maximum amplitude
    • A point of minimum speed

  4. How are stationary waves formed?

    • By waves of zero frequency
    • By a single wave reflected at a free end only
    • By two waves of different frequencies travelling in the same direction
    • By two waves of the same frequency travelling in opposite directions

  5. What is the distance between adjacent nodes of a stationary wave?

    • a quarter of a wavelength
    • one wavelength
    • half a wavelength
    • twice the wavelength

  6. What is the formula for the fundamental frequency of a stretched string?

    • f = (1/l) (T/mu)
    • f = (1/2l) sqrt(mu/T)
    • f = 2l sqrt(T/mu)
    • f = (1/2l) sqrt(T/mu)

  7. A string of length 0.80 m is fixed at both ends and vibrates in its first harmonic. What is the wavelength?

    • 1.6 m
    • 3.2 m
    • 0.80 m
    • 0.40 m

  8. A string of length 0.5 m under tension 20 N has mass per unit length 0.002 kg/m. What is its first harmonic frequency?

    • 50 Hz
    • 100 Hz
    • 10 Hz
    • 200 Hz

  9. For the string in the previous case, what is the frequency of the second harmonic?

    • 100 Hz
    • 400 Hz
    • 200 Hz
    • 50 Hz

  10. If the tension on a string is quadrupled, what happens to the first harmonic frequency?

    • It halves
    • It doubles
    • It is unchanged
    • It quadruples

  11. If the length of a string is halved with the same tension, what happens to the first harmonic frequency?

    • It halves
    • It doubles
    • It quadruples
    • It is unchanged

  12. How many antinodes does the third harmonic of a string have?

    • 6
    • 3
    • 4
    • 2

  13. Points on either side of a node are in what phase relation?

    • in phase
    • a quarter cycle apart
    • half a wavelength apart
    • antiphase

  14. Two waves of amplitude 2 cm and 3 cm are in phase. What is the resultant amplitude at a point where they meet?

    • 5 cm
    • 1 cm
    • 6 cm
    • 2.5 cm

  15. Two waves of amplitude 3 cm and 2 cm meet in antiphase. What is the resultant amplitude?

    • 5 cm
    • 1 cm
    • 6 cm
    • 0 cm

  16. A string has first harmonic frequency 40 Hz. What is the frequency of its fifth harmonic?

    • 200 Hz
    • 80 Hz
    • 40 Hz
    • 400 Hz

  17. A string of length 1.2 m vibrates in its third harmonic. What is the wavelength?

    • 0.80 m
    • 2.4 m
    • 1.2 m
    • 0.40 m

  18. To double the frequency of the first harmonic of a string, by what factor must the tension be increased?

    • 2
    • 4
    • 8
    • 1.4

  19. Why does a node have zero amplitude?

    • The particles are moving at maximum speed
    • The wave has no energy there
    • The two travelling waves arrive there in antiphase and cancel
    • The medium there is absent

  20. Which harmonic of a stretched string has the longest wavelength?

    • the second harmonic
    • the third harmonic
    • the fifth harmonic
    • the first harmonic

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