Grade 11 · Science · Physics

11th grade Interference and standing waves worksheet

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Interference and standing waves

Grade 11 Science Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.

Two pulses overlap on a rope. At one point, with up as positive, one gives 3 cm and the other gives -1 cm. What is the combined displacement, Ari?
2.
In the wave diagram, what is the amplitude of the combined wave, Jun?
- 4 cm
- 2 cm
- 0 cm
3.
In the wave diagram, what kind of interference happens, Kira?
Use the picture in question 2.
- Destructive
- No interference, since they don't touch
- Constructive
4.
In the wave diagram, what would the combined amplitude be if wave B were shifted by half a wavelength, Luz?
Use the picture in question 2.
- 1 cm
- 0 cm
- 4 cm
5.
A crest of one wave meets a trough of an equal wave. What happens there, Milo?
- They add together: constructive interference
- They bounce off each other
- They cancel: destructive interference
6.
At a quiet spot in front of two speakers, the sound waves cancel. What happened to their energy, Noah?
- It turned into light
- It shows up at the loud spots instead
- It was destroyed
7.
Two pulses pass through each other on a rope. What are they like afterward, Pia?
- Joined into one pulse
- The same as before they met
- Gone, since they cancelled
8.
In the wave diagram, how many nodes does the string have, Ren?
- 6
- 3
- 4
9.
In the wave diagram, where does the string not move at all, Tala?
Use the picture in question 8.
- At the antinodes
- Nowhere, since the whole string shakes
- At the nodes
10.
In the wave diagram, where does the string swing the most, Zee?
Use the picture in question 8.
- At the two ends
- At 0.4 and 0.8 m
- At 0.2, 0.6 and 1 m

11th grade Interference and standing waves worksheet – printable — Print: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

Interference and standing waves. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

I can add overlapping displacements with signs, and tell constructive (crest on crest) from destructive (crest on trough) interference.
I can explain that pulses pass through each other unchanged and that cancelled energy reappears at the loud spots, not destroyed.
I can find nodes, antinodes and wavelength on a standing wave (λ = 2L ÷ n), and string frequencies (f = nv ÷ 2L, harmonics n × f₁).
I can use path difference: whole wavelengths give loud spots, half wavelengths quiet ones. I can explain noise-cancelling headphones and tuning a string.

Standard: none (TX)

Words to know

interference: Two waves overlapping and adding point by point

constructive: Waves adding to make a bigger wave

destructive: Waves cancelling to make a smaller wave

node / antinode: A point that stays still / a point that swings most

harmonic: A standing wave with a whole number of loops

Common mistakes

Your child ignored a minus sign. A displacement below the middle line is negative, so it subtracts.

Your child forgot that each loop is half a wavelength. On a string, λ = 2L ÷ n, and f = nv ÷ 2L.

Your child thought destructive interference destroys energy. The energy is moved to the loud spots; it isn't lost.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with interference and standing waves?

Your child ignored a minus sign. A displacement below the middle line is negative, so it subtracts.

Are these 11th grade science worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

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