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Wave properties: Edexcel A‑Level Physics questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Physics exam question on Wave properties (specification points 59–64), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,540 questions

  1. Q11(a)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 11(a): The diagram shows the position of particles along a longitudinal wave at a particular time. The vertical dotted lines represent the equilibrium positions of the

  2. Q6(b)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    5 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 6(b): The plate is set into movement by a vibration generator. The wavelength of the waves produced in the plate was estimated to be 0.32 m. The signal applied to the

  3. Q3

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    1 markWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 3: A 2‑beam oscilloscope is used to determine the speed of sound in air. The oscilloscope screen shown displays the signal used to produce the sound wave. (Source:

  4. Q12(b)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    3 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 12(b): A guitar has metal strings under tension. When a string is plucked it vibrates, producing a sound wave in the air. Describe how the vibrating string produces pr

  5. Q6(a)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    2 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 6(a): Comment on the student’s experimental technique to determine λ. (2)

  6. Q6(b)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    5 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 6(b): The oscilloscope trace for the signal from microphone 1 is shown below. The time base of the oscilloscope was set to 0.20 ms div−1. Determine a value for the sp

  7. Q8

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    1 markWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 8: A displacement‑time graph is shown for a particle in a transverse wave. Displacement 0 Time Which property of the wave can not be determined directly from the d

  8. Q7

    November 2021 · AS Paper 2

    1 markWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 AS Paper 2, question 7: The diagram shows the position of two particles, X and Y, on a transverse wave. The wave is travelling from left to right. direction of wave travel X Y Which of

  9. Q9(a)

    November 2021 · AS Paper 2

    2 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 AS Paper 2, question 9(a): Determine the frequency of the sound wave. (2) Frequency =

  10. Q9(b)

    November 2021 · AS Paper 2

    1 markWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 AS Paper 2, question 9(b): The student sets the timebase on the oscilloscope to a lower value per division. Describe any changes to the appearance of the waveform on the screen. (1)

  11. Q12(a)

    November 2021 · AS Paper 2

    3 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 AS Paper 2, question 12(a): Describe how the displacement of air molecules causes pressure variations in the air. (3)

  12. Q6

    October 2020 · AS Paper 2

    1 markWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 AS Paper 2, question 6: A longitudinal wave is represented on a displacement-distance graph. A positive displacement on the graph indicates a displacement to the right. Which graph sho

  13. Q11(a)

    October 2020 · AS Paper 2

    2 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 AS Paper 2, question 11(a): Describe how light is transmitted as a transverse wave. (2)

  14. Q15(a)

    June 2019 · Paper 2

    2 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 2, question 15(a): Calculate the wavelength of the ultrasound produced. (2) Wavelength =

  15. Q15(a)

    June 2018 · AS Paper 1

    1 markWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 AS Paper 1, question 15(a): Criticise these results. (1)

  16. Q15(b)(i)

    June 2018 · AS Paper 1

    4 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 AS Paper 1, question 15(b)(i): Plot a graph of microphone separation against time interval. (4)

  17. Q15(b)(ii)

    June 2018 · AS Paper 1

    2 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 AS Paper 1, question 15(b)(ii): Determine a value for the speed of sound in air. (2) Speed of sound in air =

  18. Q15(c)

    June 2018 · AS Paper 1

    3 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 AS Paper 1, question 15(c): The actual speed of sound in air is 330 m s–1. Comment on the value for the speed of sound in air at this temperature obtained from the student’s results, refer

  19. Q20(a)

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    3 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 20(a): Gravitational waves travel at the speed of light. Determine the mean wavelength of the waves detected between 0.30 s and 0.35 s on the graph. (3) Mean wavelengt

  20. Q7(a)

    June 2017 · Paper 3

    2 marksWave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 3, question 7(a): Explain why a data logger is appropriate for this demonstration. (2)
All 28 questions on Wave properties, as a list
  1. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q11(a) (2 marks): The diagram shows the position of particles along a longitudinal wave at a particular time. The vertical dotted lines represent the equilibrium positions of the
  2. June 2024, Paper 3, Q6(b) (5 marks): The plate is set into movement by a vibration generator. The wavelength of the waves produced in the plate was estimated to be 0.32 m. The signal applied to the
  3. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q3 (1 mark): A 2‑beam oscilloscope is used to determine the speed of sound in air. The oscilloscope screen shown displays the signal used to produce the sound wave. (Source:
  4. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q12(b) (3 marks): A guitar has metal strings under tension. When a string is plucked it vibrates, producing a sound wave in the air. Describe how the vibrating string produces pr
  5. June 2022, Paper 3, Q6(a) (2 marks): Comment on the student’s experimental technique to determine λ. (2)
  6. June 2022, Paper 3, Q6(b) (5 marks): The oscilloscope trace for the signal from microphone 1 is shown below. The time base of the oscilloscope was set to 0.20 ms div−1. Determine a value for the sp
  7. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q8 (1 mark): A displacement‑time graph is shown for a particle in a transverse wave. Displacement 0 Time Which property of the wave can not be determined directly from the d
  8. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q7 (1 mark): The diagram shows the position of two particles, X and Y, on a transverse wave. The wave is travelling from left to right. direction of wave travel X Y Which of
  9. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q9(a) (2 marks): Determine the frequency of the sound wave. (2) Frequency =
  10. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q9(b) (1 mark): The student sets the timebase on the oscilloscope to a lower value per division. Describe any changes to the appearance of the waveform on the screen. (1)
  11. November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q12(a) (3 marks): Describe how the displacement of air molecules causes pressure variations in the air. (3)
  12. October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): A longitudinal wave is represented on a displacement-distance graph. A positive displacement on the graph indicates a displacement to the right. Which graph sho
  13. October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q11(a) (2 marks): Describe how light is transmitted as a transverse wave. (2)
  14. June 2019, Paper 2, Q15(a) (2 marks): Calculate the wavelength of the ultrasound produced. (2) Wavelength =
  15. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q15(a) (1 mark): Criticise these results. (1)
  16. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q15(b)(i) (4 marks): Plot a graph of microphone separation against time interval. (4)
  17. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q15(b)(ii) (2 marks): Determine a value for the speed of sound in air. (2) Speed of sound in air =
  18. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q15(c) (3 marks): The actual speed of sound in air is 330 m s–1. Comment on the value for the speed of sound in air at this temperature obtained from the student’s results, refer
  19. June 2017, Paper 2, Q20(a) (3 marks): Gravitational waves travel at the speed of light. Determine the mean wavelength of the waves detected between 0.30 s and 0.35 s on the graph. (3) Mean wavelengt
  20. June 2017, Paper 3, Q7(a) (2 marks): Explain why a data logger is appropriate for this demonstration. (2)
  21. June 2017, Paper 3, Q7(b)(i) (3 marks): Use the graph to show that the speed of the pulse in the rod is about 6000 m s−1. length of steel rod = 1.18 m (3)
  22. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q14(a) (2 marks): Explain how a sound wave travels through air. (2)
  23. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q14(b)(i) (1 mark): Deduce why the students thought it necessary to make a third measurement on day 2. (1)
  24. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q14(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the mean value of time on day 1. (2) Percentage uncertainty =
  25. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q14(b)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the difference in the value for the speed of sound between day 1 and day 2 obtained from these results. (2) Difference in speed =
  26. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q14(b)(iv) (2 marks): The students state that the difference in the speed of sound between day 1 and day 2 is due to the change in air temperature. Explain whether the results obtain
  27. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q1 (1 mark): Which statement about sound is correct? A Sound can travel through a solid. B Sound can travel through a vacuum. C Sound waves can travel as polarised waves. D
  28. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q8 (1 mark): Sound waves are produced by a vibrating guitar string. Which row in the table correctly describes the waves produced? Guitar string Sound A transverse transvers

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