Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2023
First exams 2025
1 markWhich statement does not describe the property of travelling waves?
Energy and matter are transferred by travelling waves
The direction of motion of a travelling wave is the direction of energy transfer
Travelling waves travel away from the source of oscillation
The oscillations can propagate through a medium or in a vacuum depending on the type of travelling wave
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1 markThe speed of a wave c depends on its frequency f and wavelength λ and is given by the equation:
c = fλ
Identify the correct units for the quantities given in the wave equation.
|
Wave speed c |
Frequency f |
Wavelength λ |
|
|
A. |
m s−2 |
J |
m |
|
B. |
m s−1 |
Hz |
m2 |
|
C. |
m s | Hz s−1 | ml |
|
D. |
m s−1 |
Hz |
m |
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1 markA sound wave has a frequency f of 50 Hz.
Identify the correct expression showing the time period T of the wave.
50 T
2 × 50
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1 markIdentify the example that is not a transverse wave.
Sound wave
Microwave
Water wave
Sunlight
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1 markWhich of the following gives regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency?
Gamma ray, visible, radio wave
X-ray, microwave, ultraviolet
Radio wave, infrared, microwave
Infrared, ultraviolet, x-ray
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1 markAn electromagnetic wave is generated by a combined oscillation of electric and magnetic fields. These fields oscillate perpendicular to each other and to the direction of the motion of the wave. The diagram shows the oscillations of an electromagnetic wave. The electric field oscillates in plane P.
In relation to the diagram, identify the correct labels for Q and R.
|
Q |
R |
|
|
A. |
Motion |
Magnetic field |
|
B. |
Electric field |
Motion |
|
C. |
Magnetic field | Electric field |
|
D. |
Magnetic field |
Motion |
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1 markWhich of the following has a frequency lower than that of visible light?
Ultraviolet
Infrared
Gamma ray
X-ray
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1 markWhich frequency of sound wave would a human be able to hear?
2 Hz
200 Hz
200 kHz
2000 kHz
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1 markWhich of the following sound waves would give the highest volume?
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1 markWhich of the following sound waves would produce the highest pitch?
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1 markA radio station broadcasts in the frequency range 97-99 MHz.
What range of wavelengths are being used?
3.0 – 3.1 × 10–3 m
3.0 – 3.1 m
0.33 m
0.33 × 103 m
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1 markA longitudinal travelling wave has speed v and wavelength λ. What is the least distance between a compression and a rarefaction measured against the direction of propagation?
v
λ
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1 markA sound wave has a wavelength of 0.40 m. What is the phase difference between two points along the wave which are 1.7 m apart?
zero
45°
90°
180°
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1 markTwo waves are travelling from the surface of the Sun to the upper atmosphere of Earth.
Which statements must be correct?
I and II
I, II and III
II and III
I and IV
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1 markA section of the electromagnetic spectrum is shown. What could the labelled sections represent?
|
|
I |
II |
III |
IV |
| A. | ultraviolet | infrared | x–rays | radio waves |
| B. | blue light | red light | orange light | green light |
| C. | x-rays | blue light | infrared | microwaves |
| D. | gamma waves | microwaves | infrared | visible light |
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1 markSound waves can be propagated through fluids and solids. Which statements are correct?
I and IV
II and IV
I, III and IV
II, III and IV
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1 markWhich cannot be observed with ultrasound?
diffraction
dispersion
polarisation
refraction
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1 markThe diagram shows a cross-sectional view through a water wave travelling from left to right.
At which point is the water moving with maximum speed in the upward direction?
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1 markThe table below contains the frequencies of various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Which row correctly describes X as infrared and Y as X-rays?
|
X |
Y |
|
|
A. |
3 × 105 Hz |
3 × 1020 Hz |
|
B. |
3 × 1010 Hz |
3 × 1016 Hz |
|
C. |
3 × 1018 Hz | 3 × 1014 Hz |
|
D. |
3 × 1014 Hz |
3 × 1019 Hz |
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1 markThe diagram shows a wave with a frequency of 25 Hz travelling from left to right.
At this particular instant in time, the displacement from the equilibrium position of point X is zero.
What is the shortest time to elapse for the displacement of point Y to be zero?
0.005 s
0.01 s
0.05 s
0.10 s
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1 markThe graphs below show the displacement of a wave as a function of time and position.
What is a correct expression for wave speed?
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1 markThe graph shows the displacement, x, of a wave pulse as a function of distance, d.
Which graph correctly shows the displacement of the wave pulse as a function of time, t?
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1 markThe star Deneb emits EM waves of wavelengths 50 000 µm, 500 µm, 0.5 µm and 0.005 µm.
Which row correctly identifies the areas of the EM spectrum to which these wavelengths belong?
|
50 000 µm |
500 µm |
0.5 µm |
0.005 µm |
|
|
A. |
Microwave |
Infrared |
Visible |
Ultraviolet |
|
B. |
Radio |
Microwave |
Infrared |
Visible |
|
C. |
Infrared | Visible | Ultraviolet | X-ray |
|
D. |
Microwave |
Infrared |
Ultraviolet |
Gamma |
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1 markVisible light has wavelengths ranging from 400 nm to 700 nm.
What is the maximum frequency of visible light?
3 × 10−18 Hz
7.5 × 10−18 Hz
3 × 10−16 Hz
7.5 × 1014 Hz
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1 markThe diagram shows the positions of three points on a string as a transverse wave travels along it from left to right.
Which row correctly shows the velocities of the points on the string?
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
|
A. |
↓ |
↓ |
↓ |
|
B. |
↑ |
↑ |
↓ |
|
C. |
↑ | ↓ | ↑ |
|
D. |
↓ |
↑ |
↓ |
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1 markThe diagram below shows a water particle on the crest of a wave in a ripple tank.
Which arrow correctly shows the force acting on the particle?
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