Lesson 5.2.2

5.2.2 Standing waves and waves on a string Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Physics, Unit 5

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 5.2.2, Standing waves and waves on a string: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Physics (9PH0), Unit 5: Waves and Particle Nature of Light, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is a point of zero amplitude in a stationary wave called?

    • Antinode
    • Fundamental
    • Harmonic
    • Node

  2. What is a point of maximum amplitude in a stationary wave called?

    • Antinode
    • Node
    • Compression
    • Fundamental

  3. What is the distance between two adjacent nodes in a stationary wave?

    • Quarter wavelength
    • Two wavelengths
    • One wavelength
    • Half a wavelength

  4. Which process forms a stationary wave when two identical progressive waves overlap?

    • Diffraction
    • Superposition
    • Refraction
    • Polarisation

  5. Which equation gives the speed v of a transverse wave on a stretched string?

    • v = T/μ
    • v = T μ
    • v = √(T/μ)
    • v = √(μ/T)

  6. What is the wavelength of the fundamental mode for a string of length L?

    • 0.5L
    • 4L
    • 2L
    • L

  7. How does increasing the tension of a vibrating string affect its fundamental frequency?

    • Increases
    • Decreases
    • Halves
    • Stays the same

  8. A string of length 0.60 m is fixed at both ends and vibrates in its fundamental mode. What is the wavelength of the wave on the string?

    • 2.4 m
    • 0.30 m
    • 1.2 m
    • 0.60 m

  9. A string of length 0.60 m fixed at both ends has wave speed 120 m/s. What is its fundamental frequency?

    • 50 Hz
    • 72 Hz
    • 200 Hz
    • 100 Hz

  10. A string fixed at both ends has a fundamental frequency of 100 Hz. What is the frequency of its third harmonic?

    • 300 Hz
    • 400 Hz
    • 150 Hz
    • 100 Hz

  11. A string has tension 20 N and mass per unit length 0.0050 kg/m. What is the wave speed on the string?

    • 63 m/s
    • 4.0 m/s
    • 2000 m/s
    • 100 m/s

  12. The tension in a stretched string is quadrupled while its length and mass per unit length are unchanged. What happens to its fundamental frequency?

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

  13. A standing wave on a string fixed at both ends shows four antinodes. How many nodes are there, counting the two fixed ends?

    • 5
    • 8
    • 4
    • 3

  14. A standing wave has wavelength 0.36 m. What is the distance from a node to the nearest antinode?

    • 0.18 m
    • 0.090 m
    • 0.045 m
    • 0.36 m

  15. A string fixed at both ends has wave speed 200 m/s and fundamental frequency 250 Hz. What is its length?

    • 0.40 m
    • 0.20 m
    • 0.80 m
    • 0.10 m

  16. How much net energy is transferred along an ideal stationary wave?

    • Infinite
    • Zero
    • Variable
    • Maximum

  17. A string of length 0.50 m is fixed at both ends and vibrates in its fundamental mode at 80 Hz. Its mass per unit length is 0.0040 kg/m. What is the tension in the string?

    • 13 N
    • 320 N
    • 26 N
    • 40 N

  18. Which change to a vibrating string halves its fundamental frequency?

    • Doubling tension
    • Halving tension
    • Halving its length
    • Doubling its length

  19. A string of length 1.2 m fixed at both ends vibrates in its third harmonic at 300 Hz. What is the wave speed on the string?

    • 120 m/s
    • 720 m/s
    • 240 m/s
    • 360 m/s

  20. What shape is a graph of fundamental frequency f against 1/L for a string?

    • Horizontal line
    • Parabola
    • Curved hyperbola
    • Linear through origin

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