Physics (AS & A Level) · Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Question 21

A transverse wave on a rope has wavelength λ and period T. The graph shows the variation of the displacement of the particles of the rope with distance in the direction of travel of the wave at time t = 0. A particle X is labelled. Which graph shows the variation of the displacement of particle X with time t?

1. Adisplacement-time graph starting at 0, rising to a maximum, crossing zero at T/2, reaching a minimum, and returning to zero at T
2. Bdisplacement-time graph starting at a maximum, crossing zero at T/4, reaching a minimum, crossing zero at 3T/4, and returning to a maximum at T
3. Cdisplacement-time graph starting at 0, falling to a minimum, crossing zero at T/2, reaching a maximum, and returning to zero at T
4. Ddisplacement-time graph starting at a minimum, crossing zero at T/4, reaching a maximum, crossing zero at 3T/4, and returning to a minimum at T

As printed in the paper