Waves, Sound and Light: Light Waves
We have 10 ready-to-use problem sets on the topic of Light Waves. These problem sets focus on the use of wave principles and equations to solve physics word problems associated with light speed, frequency, wavelength, illuminance, the Doppler shift, and two-point source interference.
Click a link to open a publicly-available problem set. If you are a Task Tracker student, open the assignment using the link on the Task Tracker assignment board.
Problem Set LW1 – Frequency-Wavelength-Speed 1
Use the light speed and a given frequency or wavelength value for a light wave to calculate the wavelength or the frequency of the wave. Includes 5 problems.
Problem Set LW2 – Frequency-Wavelength-Speed 2
Use the light speed and a given frequency or wavelength value for a light wave to calculate the wavelength or the frequency of the wave. Includes 5 problems.
Problem Set LW3 – Speed of Light
Use the value of the speed of light to relate the distance that light travels to the time of travel. Includes 5 problems.
Problem Set LW4 – Illuminance vs. Distance
Use the inverse square relationship between illuminance and distance to predict the effect that changes in distance will have upon the illuminance. Includes 3 problems.
Problem Set LW5 – Doppler Shift
Use Doppler shift equations to analyze situations involving moving galaxies and speeding vehicles. Includes 4 problems.
Problem Set LW6 – Path Difference
Analyze infomration about a two-point source interference pattern (for water, sound, or light waves) to relate the wavelength of the waves to the distances from the sources to a point on the pattern. Includes 9 problems.
Problem Set LW7 – Two Point Source Interference Applications
Use the concept of a path difference (mainly) or Young's equation (occassionally) to analyze situations that involve destructive interference of waves traveling along different paths to the same receiver. Includes 7 problems.
Problem Set LW8 – Young's Experiment 1
Use Young's equation and data from a two-point source interference experiment to determine the wavelength of light. Includes 5 problems.
Problem Set LW9 – Young's Experiment 2
Use Young's equation to analyze data from a two-point source interference pattern in order to determine an unknown quantity. Includes 6 problems.
Problem Set LW10 – Young's Experiment 3
Use Young's equation to analyze data from a two-point source interference pattern in order to determine an unknown quantity. Includes 6 problems.