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Waves in air, fluids and solids: AQA GCSE Combined Science questions

Every AQA GCSE Combined Science exam question on 6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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3,069 questions

  1. Q03.1

    June 2025 · Physics Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Physics Paper 2 Higher, question 03.1: Ultraviolet and visible light are both transverse waves. What is meant by ‘transverse waves’? [2 marks]

  2. Q05.3

    June 2025 · Physics Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Physics Paper 2 Foundation, question 05.3: What is meant by the ‘period of a wave’? [1 mark] Tick () one box. The distance travelled by a wave in one second The number of waves passing a fixed point eac

  3. Q05.4

    June 2025 · Physics Paper 2 Foundation

    4 marks6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Physics Paper 2 Foundation, question 05.4: Data is transmitted to the satellites by electromagnetic waves with a frequency of 48 GHz. Calculate the period of waves with a frequency of 48 GHz. Use the Phy

  4. Q01.1

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 2 Higher

    4 marks6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 2 Higher, question 01.1: Describe a method the teacher could use to investigate how the frequency of the wave affects the wavelength. [4 marks]

  5. Q01.2

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 2 Higher, question 01.2: and 01.3. 0 1 . 2 Which equation links frequency (f), wavelength (λ) and wave speed (v)? [1 mark] Tick () one box. f = λ × v λ = f × v v = f × λ

  6. Q01.3

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 2 Higher

    3 marks6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 2 Higher, question 01.3: The wave on the string has a frequency of 45.0 Hz. The wave speed is 35.1 m/s. Calculate the wavelength of the wave. [3 marks] Wavelength = m

  7. Q03.2

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 2 Higher, question 03.2: What is meant by ‘transverse wave’? [1 mark]

  8. Q03.1

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.1: What is transferred by the sound waves as they travel through the air? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Energy Mass Temperature

  9. Q03.3

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.3: Complete the sentences to describe a difference and a similarity between the two waves. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] amplitude frequency wavelength pe

  10. Q03.4

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.4: Wave A has a frequency of 4.0 kHz. Which of the following is the same as 4.0 kHz? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 4.0 Hz 4000 Hz 4 000 000 Hz 4 000 000 000 Hz

  11. Q03.5

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.5: Calculate the period of wave A. Use your answer from Question 03.4 and the equation: period = 1 frequency [2 marks] Period = s

  12. Q03.6

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marks6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 2 Foundation, question 03.6: Sound waves in air are longitudinal waves. Complete the sentence to describe a sound wave. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] compression deflection diffrac

  13. Q06.1

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 2 Foundation

    4 marks6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 2 Foundation, question 06.1: Describe a method the teacher could use to investigate how the frequency of the wave affects the wavelength. [4 marks]

  14. Q06.2

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 2 Foundation

    1 mark6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 2 Foundation, question 06.2: and 06.3. 0 6 . 2 Which equation links frequency (f), wavelength (λ) and wave speed (v)? [1 mark] Tick () one box. f = λ × v λ = f × v v = f × λ

  15. Q06.3

    June 2024 · Physics Paper 2 Foundation

    3 marks6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Physics Paper 2 Foundation, question 06.3: The wave on the string has a frequency of 45.0 Hz. The wave speed is 35.1 m/s. Calculate the wavelength of the wave. [3 marks] Wavelength = m

  16. Q01.4

    June 2023 · Physics Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Physics Paper 2 Higher, question 01.4: and 01.5. 0 1 . 4 Write down the equation that links frequency (f), wavelength (λ) and wave speed (v). [1 mark]

  17. Q01.5

    June 2023 · Physics Paper 2 Higher

    3 marks6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Physics Paper 2 Higher, question 01.5: The wave in the middle of the spectrum has a wavelength of 5.0 × 10–7 m. wave speed of light = 3.0 × 108 m/s Calculate the frequency of the wave. [3 marks] Freq

  18. Q03.1

    June 2023 · Physics Paper 2 Higher

    3 marks6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Physics Paper 2 Higher, question 03.1: Figure 4 represents the shadow of the water waves seen on the screen. Figure 4 1.0 mm on Figure 4 represents 5.0 mm on the screen. Determine an accurate value f

  19. Q03.2

    June 2023 · Physics Paper 2 Higher

    2 marks6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Physics Paper 2 Higher, question 03.2: Calculate value X in Table 2. [2 marks] X = mm

  20. Q03.3

    June 2023 · Physics Paper 2 Higher

    1 mark6.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Physics Paper 2 Higher, question 03.3: The teacher states that the results are very precise. Which of the following supports the statement made by the teacher? [1 mark] Tick () one box. The mean val
All 53 questions on Waves in air, fluids and solids, as a list
  1. June 2025, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q03.1 (2 marks): Ultraviolet and visible light are both transverse waves. What is meant by ‘transverse waves’? [2 marks]
  2. June 2025, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.3 (1 mark): What is meant by the ‘period of a wave’? [1 mark] Tick () one box. The distance travelled by a wave in one second The number of waves passing a fixed point eac
  3. June 2025, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.4 (4 marks): Data is transmitted to the satellites by electromagnetic waves with a frequency of 48 GHz. Calculate the period of waves with a frequency of 48 GHz. Use the Phy
  4. June 2024, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q01.1 (4 marks): Describe a method the teacher could use to investigate how the frequency of the wave affects the wavelength. [4 marks]
  5. June 2024, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q01.2 (1 mark): and 01.3. 0 1 . 2 Which equation links frequency (f), wavelength (λ) and wave speed (v)? [1 mark] Tick () one box. f = λ × v λ = f × v v = f × λ
  6. June 2024, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q01.3 (3 marks): The wave on the string has a frequency of 45.0 Hz. The wave speed is 35.1 m/s. Calculate the wavelength of the wave. [3 marks] Wavelength = m
  7. June 2024, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q03.2 (1 mark): What is meant by ‘transverse wave’? [1 mark]
  8. June 2024, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.1 (1 mark): What is transferred by the sound waves as they travel through the air? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Energy Mass Temperature
  9. June 2024, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.3 (2 marks): Complete the sentences to describe a difference and a similarity between the two waves. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] amplitude frequency wavelength pe
  10. June 2024, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.4 (1 mark): Wave A has a frequency of 4.0 kHz. Which of the following is the same as 4.0 kHz? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 4.0 Hz 4000 Hz 4 000 000 Hz 4 000 000 000 Hz
  11. June 2024, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.5 (2 marks): Calculate the period of wave A. Use your answer from Question 03.4 and the equation: period = 1 frequency [2 marks] Period = s
  12. June 2024, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.6 (2 marks): Sound waves in air are longitudinal waves. Complete the sentence to describe a sound wave. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] compression deflection diffrac
  13. June 2024, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.1 (4 marks): Describe a method the teacher could use to investigate how the frequency of the wave affects the wavelength. [4 marks]
  14. June 2024, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.2 (1 mark): and 06.3. 0 6 . 2 Which equation links frequency (f), wavelength (λ) and wave speed (v)? [1 mark] Tick () one box. f = λ × v λ = f × v v = f × λ
  15. June 2024, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.3 (3 marks): The wave on the string has a frequency of 45.0 Hz. The wave speed is 35.1 m/s. Calculate the wavelength of the wave. [3 marks] Wavelength = m
  16. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q01.4 (1 mark): and 01.5. 0 1 . 4 Write down the equation that links frequency (f), wavelength (λ) and wave speed (v). [1 mark]
  17. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q01.5 (3 marks): The wave in the middle of the spectrum has a wavelength of 5.0 × 10–7 m. wave speed of light = 3.0 × 108 m/s Calculate the frequency of the wave. [3 marks] Freq
  18. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q03.1 (3 marks): Figure 4 represents the shadow of the water waves seen on the screen. Figure 4 1.0 mm on Figure 4 represents 5.0 mm on the screen. Determine an accurate value f
  19. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q03.2 (2 marks): Calculate value X in Table 2. [2 marks] X = mm
  20. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q03.3 (1 mark): The teacher states that the results are very precise. Which of the following supports the statement made by the teacher? [1 mark] Tick () one box. The mean val
  21. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q03.4 (2 marks): Describe the difference between longitudinal waves and transverse waves. [2 marks]
  22. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.1 (2 marks): Figure 9 shows a sound wave. Figure 9 Complete the labels on Figure 9. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] compression extension rarefaction reflection resis
  23. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.2 (1 mark): Which of the following is true for longitudinal waves? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Longitudinal waves transfer charge. Longitudinal waves transfer energy. Longit
  24. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.3 (1 mark): Figure 11 shows a visual display of the sound waves at different distances from the device. Both waves are drawn to the same scale. Figure 11 Which property of
  25. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.4 (1 mark): The farmer tests the device on a day when the temperature of the air is 15 °C. What is the speed of the sound emitted by the device when the temperature of the
  26. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.5 (2 marks): The farmer stands a safe distance from the device. It takes a time of 0.20 s for the sound to travel from the device to the farmer. Calculate the distance betwe
  27. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.6 (2 marks): Explain how the time taken for the sound to reach the farmer is affected by the temperature of the air. Use Figure 12. [2 marks]
  28. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.4 (1 mark): and 06.5. 0 6 . 4 Write down the equation that links frequency (f), wavelength (λ) and wave speed (v). [1 mark]
  29. June 2023, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.5 (3 marks): The wave in the middle of the spectrum has a wavelength of 5.0 × 10–7 m. wave speed of light = 3.0 × 108 m/s Calculate the frequency of the wave. [3 marks] Freq
  30. June 2022, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q01.1 (2 marks): What do the labels A and B on Figure 1 represent? Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] amplitude frequency rarefaction reflection wavelength A B
  31. June 2022, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q01.2 (4 marks): The wave shown in Figure 1 has a frequency of 4.0 kHz Calculate the period of the wave. Use the Physics Equations Sheet. Give the unit. [4 marks] Period = Unit
  32. June 2022, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q01.3 (1 mark): and 01.4. 0 1 . 3 Write down the equation that links frequency (f), wavelength (λ) and wave speed (v). [1 mark]
  33. June 2022, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q01.4 (4 marks): A sound wave with a frequency of 300 Hz travels through the air. The air has a temperature of 28.0 °C Determine the wavelength of the sound wave. Use Figure 2.
  34. June 2022, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.1 (2 marks): What do the labels A and B on Figure 8 represent? Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] amplitude frequency rarefaction reflection wavelength A B
  35. June 2022, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.2 (4 marks): The wave shown in Figure 8 has a frequency of 4.0 kHz Calculate the period of the wave. Use the Physics Equations Sheet. Give the unit. [4 marks] Period = Unit
  36. June 2022, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.3 (1 mark): and 06.4. 0 6 . 3 Write down the equation that links frequency (f), wavelength (λ) and wave speed (v). [1 mark]
  37. June 2022, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q06.4 (4 marks): A sound wave with a frequency of 300 Hz travels through the air. The air has a temperature of 28.0 °C Determine the wavelength of the sound wave. Use Figure 9.
  38. November 2021, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q03.1 (4 marks): Describe how the frequency and wavelength of the water waves in the ripple tank can be measured accurately. [4 marks]
  39. November 2021, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q03.2 (4 marks): Determine the mean wave speed. [4 marks] Mean wave speed = m/s
  40. November 2021, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q03.3 (1 mark): What is the advantage of taking repeat readings and then calculating a mean? [1 mark]
  41. November 2021, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q03.4 (2 marks): The speed of the wave is affected by the depth of the water in the ripple tank. The deeper the water the faster the wave. Explain how the depth of the water aff
  42. November 2021, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.1 (4 marks): Describe how the student can measure the frequency and wavelength of the waves. You should refer to any equipment the student needs in your answer. [4 marks]
  43. November 2021, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.2 (1 mark): Calculate value X in Table 1. [1 mark] X = Hz
  44. November 2021, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.3 (1 mark): Why is it a good idea to take repeat readings and then calculate a mean? [1 mark] Tick () one box. To reduce the effect of random errors. To reduce the effect
  45. November 2021, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.4 (2 marks): The student changed the frequency of the waves in the ripple tank to 20 Hz. Calculate the period of the waves. Use the equation: period = 1 frequency [2 marks]
  46. November 2021, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q04.5 (2 marks): At a frequency of 20 Hz the wavelength of the waves was 0.012 m. Calculate the wave speed. Use the equation: wave speed = frequency × wavelength [2 marks] Wave
  47. November 2020, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.1 (1 mark): Which wave has the greatest amplitude? [1 mark] Tick () one box. A B C D
  48. November 2020, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.2 (1 mark): Which wave has the greatest frequency? [1 mark] Tick () one box. A B C D
  49. November 2020, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.3 (1 mark): Which wave has the greatest wavelength? [1 mark] Tick () one box. A B C D
  50. November 2020, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.4 (2 marks): A wave has a frequency of 1650 Hz and a wavelength of 0.200 m Calculate the wave speed. Use the equation: wave speed = frequency × wavelength [2 marks] Wave spe
  51. November 2020, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.5 (1 mark): What is the period of the wave shown in Figure 8? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 0.002 s 0.004 s 0.006 s 0.008 s
  52. November 2020, Physics Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.6 (3 marks): Determine the frequency of the wave shown in Figure 8. Use the Physics Equations Sheet. [3 marks] Frequency = Hz
  53. June 2018, Physics Paper 2 Higher, Q05.1 (2 marks): Describe the difference between transverse waves and longitudinal waves. [2 marks]

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