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Pulse-echo techniques: Edexcel A‑Level Physics questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Physics exam question on Pulse-echo techniques (specification points 88–89), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,540 questions

  1. Q10

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    6 marksPulse-echo techniques
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 10: * 10 A transducer on a ship produces soundwaves. These soundwaves are used with a pulse‑echo technique to determine the depth of the sea. Explain how the depth

  2. Q10(a)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    3 marksPulse-echo techniques
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 10(a): An ultrasound pulse was transmitted. The pulse was reflected from a piece of plastic under the surface and the pulse was detected 4.1 ms later. Calculate the di

  3. Q10(b)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    1 markPulse-echo techniques
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 10(b): Give a reason why the ultrasound is emitted in short pulses. (1)

  4. Q10(c)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    2 marksPulse-echo techniques
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 10(c): Explain why small pieces of plastic are more likely to be detected by using ultrasound with a high frequency. (2)

  5. Q9(a)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    3 marksPulse-echo techniques
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 9(a): A stationary bat emits an ultrasound pulse that is reflected from a moth. The bat detects the reflected pulse 36 ms later. Calculate the distance between the ba

  6. Q9(b)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    3 marksPulse-echo techniques
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 9(b): The bat flies towards the moth. Explain why the bat must change the time between the emitted pulses as the distance between the bat and the moth decreases. (3)

  7. Q10

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    6 marksPulse-echo techniques
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 10: * 10 In 1969, astronauts placed an array of mirrors on the surface of the Moon. Scientists can use these to monitor the distance from Earth to the Moon. Light f

  8. Q1

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    1 markPulse-echo techniques
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 1: Ultrasound can be used to investigate the structure of organs of the human body using the pulse-echo technique. The level of detail obtained depends on the wave

  9. Q10(a)

    November 2021 · AS Paper 2

    3 marksPulse-echo techniques
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 AS Paper 2, question 10(a): A concrete post can be checked for internal cracks using a pulse-echo technique. A transducer that transmits and receives ultrasound pulses is positioned agains

  10. Q17(a)

    October 2020 · AS Paper 2

    3 marksPulse-echo techniques
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 AS Paper 2, question 17(a): A microwave pulse is emitted from a transducer at a weather station. The pulse reflects from a storm cloud and is detected at the same transducer 340 µs later.

  11. Q2

    June 2018 · AS Paper 2

    1 markPulse-echo techniques
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 AS Paper 2, question 2: Fishermen use ultrasound pulses to detect shoals of fish under the surface of the water. Some fish are at a depth of 90 m below the surface. Which of the follow

  12. Q8

    June 2017 · AS Paper 2

    1 markPulse-echo techniques
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 AS Paper 2, question 8: Prenatal ultrasound scans are performed to produce an image of a fetus. The ultrasound wave is transmitted in pulses so that A exposure of the patient to ultras
All 12 questions on Pulse-echo techniques, as a list
  1. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q10 (6 marks): * 10 A transducer on a ship produces soundwaves. These soundwaves are used with a pulse‑echo technique to determine the depth of the sea. Explain how the depth
  2. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q10(a) (3 marks): An ultrasound pulse was transmitted. The pulse was reflected from a piece of plastic under the surface and the pulse was detected 4.1 ms later. Calculate the di
  3. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q10(b) (1 mark): Give a reason why the ultrasound is emitted in short pulses. (1)
  4. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q10(c) (2 marks): Explain why small pieces of plastic are more likely to be detected by using ultrasound with a high frequency. (2)
  5. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q9(a) (3 marks): A stationary bat emits an ultrasound pulse that is reflected from a moth. The bat detects the reflected pulse 36 ms later. Calculate the distance between the ba
  6. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q9(b) (3 marks): The bat flies towards the moth. Explain why the bat must change the time between the emitted pulses as the distance between the bat and the moth decreases. (3)
  7. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q10 (6 marks): * 10 In 1969, astronauts placed an array of mirrors on the surface of the Moon. Scientists can use these to monitor the distance from Earth to the Moon. Light f
  8. November 2021, Paper 2, Q1 (1 mark): Ultrasound can be used to investigate the structure of organs of the human body using the pulse-echo technique. The level of detail obtained depends on the wave
  9. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q10(a) (3 marks): A concrete post can be checked for internal cracks using a pulse-echo technique. A transducer that transmits and receives ultrasound pulses is positioned agains
  10. October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q17(a) (3 marks): A microwave pulse is emitted from a transducer at a weather station. The pulse reflects from a storm cloud and is detected at the same transducer 340 µs later.
  11. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q2 (1 mark): Fishermen use ultrasound pulses to detect shoals of fish under the surface of the water. Some fish are at a depth of 90 m below the surface. Which of the follow
  12. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q8 (1 mark): Prenatal ultrasound scans are performed to produce an image of a fetus. The ultrasound wave is transmitted in pulses so that A exposure of the patient to ultras

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