plumiLongitudinal and transverse waves: AQA A‑Level Physics questions
AQA A-Level Physics past-paper questions on 3.3.1.2 Longitudinal and transverse waves, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
Paper
All papers
Exam
All years
Calculations
Q02.1
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ03.2
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ02.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ01.5
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ06.3
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ04.6
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ04.4
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerLoading the question…
Open the full PDFYour answerQ6(c)
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDF
All 32 questions on Longitudinal and transverse waves, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q02.1 (2 marks): State what is meant by a transverse wave. [2 marks]
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q12 (1 mark): Radio waves are transmitted from a vertical aerial and detected by a receiving aerial. The alignment of the receiving aerial can be varied. Which row shows the
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q22 (1 mark): Which is not true for longitudinal waves? [1 mark] A They can be polarised. B They produce interference patterns. C They can be diffracted. D They form stationa
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): A detector measures the intensity of light from a source S1. Polaroid material is placed between source S1 and the detector. When the material is rotated throug
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q03 (6 marks): A student sits near a lake on a sunny day. Some sunlight is reflected from the surface of the lake. Sunlight is also reflected from objects submerged beneath th
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q03.2 (2 marks): A mobile phone transmits data to the loudspeaker using microwaves. The data are processed at the loudspeaker to produce sound waves. Microwaves and sound waves
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q11 (1 mark): A narrow beam of light is incident on a sheet of Polaroid material. The intensity of the transmitted beam is a maximum. The Polaroid sheet is rotated about the
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q02.1 (3 marks): Explain how the apparatus can be used to demonstrate that the waves from T are vertically polarised. [3 marks]
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q01.5 (1 mark): Figure 4 shows D placed at a position where the current is a maximum. Figure 4 The student rotates D by 90°, without changing its distance from T, to the positi
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): Unpolarised light travels through two polarising filters X and Y and is then incident on a screen. When X and Y are arranged as shown, there is a maximum intens
- June 2019, Paper 1, Q06.3 (1 mark): The loudspeaker creates variations in pressure and produces a sound wave in the air around it. State the type of wave produced and describe the motion of the pa
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q04.6 (2 marks): The waves caused by earthquakes can be longitudinal or transverse. Describe the difference between longitudinal waves and transverse waves. [2 marks]
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): Which gives the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing wavelength? [1 mark] A X-rays, ultraviolet, infrared, radio waves B X-rays, micro
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): Which statement is not correct for ultrasound and X-rays? [1 mark] A Both can be refracted B Both can be diffracted C Both can be polarised D Both can be reflec
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q04.4 (3 marks): The vertical aerial is placed at position B and is rotated slowly through 90° until it lies along the direction AE. State and explain the effect on the signal s
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q10 (1 mark): Which row correctly shows electromagnetic radiations in order of decreasing wavelength? [1 mark] A gamma > ultraviolet > microwave B ultraviolet > gamma > micro
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q11 (1 mark): Which statement is correct about the properties of an unpolarised electromagnetic wave as it passes through a polariser? [1 mark] A The wave remains unchanged.
- Specimen, Paper 1, Q08 (1 mark): When comparing X-rays with UV radiation, which statement is correct? [1 mark] A X-rays have a lower frequency. B X-rays travel faster in a vacuum. C X-rays do n
- Specimen, Paper 1, Q28 (1 mark): Which one of the following provides direct experimental evidence that light is a transverse wave motion rather than a longitudinal wave motion? [1 mark] A Two l
- June 2016, PHYA2 (old spec), Q6(c) (1 mark): Which of the following statements apply? Place a tick () in the right-hand column for each correct statement. [1 mark] if correct sound waves are transverse s
- June 2014, PHYA2 (old spec), Q7(b) (2 marks): Ultrasound is a longitudinal wave. Describe the nature of a longitudinal wave. [2 marks]
- June 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q6(b) (2 marks): Describe the motion of the rock particle at point B during the passage of the next complete cycle. (2 marks)
- June 2013, PHYA2 (old spec), Q6(c) (2 marks): A scientist detects a seismic wave that is polarised. State and explain what the scientist can deduce from this information. (2 marks)
- June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q7(a) (2 marks): State and explain which wave is longitudinal. (2 marks)
- June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q7(b)(ii) (2 marks): use arrows to show the direction in which the points P and Q are about to move as each wave moves to the right. (2 marks)
- June 2012, PHYA2 (old spec), Q7(c) (2 marks): Electromagnetic waves are similar in nature to wave A. Explain why it is important to correctly align the aerial of a TV in order to receive the strongest signa
- June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Other than electromagnetic radiation, give one example of a wave that is transverse. (1 mark)
- June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): State one difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave. (1 mark)
- June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): If polarised light is reaching the observer, draw the direction of the transmission axis on filter B in Figure 3. Figure 3 (1 mark) transmission axis observer p
- June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): The polarising filter B is rotated clockwise through 360º about line XY from the position shown in Figure 3. On the axes below, sketch how the light intensity r
- June 2010, PHYA2 (old spec), Q3(d) (2 marks): State one application, other than in education, of a polarising filter and give a reason for its use. (2 marks)
- June 2008, PA04A (2008 spec), Q4 (2 marks): 4 Which one of the following statements is not correct? Progressive longitudinal waves can A show interference effects. B be diffracted. C superpose to form a s
Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © AQA, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? AQA A-Level Physics past papers.
The Plumi iPad app also offers exam-style questions with AI feedback on your handwritten working.