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Ultrasound, infrasound and seismic waves: Edexcel GCSE Physics questions

Every Edexcel GCSE Physics exam question on Ultrasound, infrasound and seismic waves (specification points 4.13–4.16), 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,554 questions

  1. Q1(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 markUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 1(a): Which of these is a frequency of infrasound? (1) A 2.2 Hz B 2.2 kHz C 22 Hz D 22 kHz

  2. Q1(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    3 marksUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 1(b): Figure 1 shows a technician standing in front of a wall. wall technician 7.6 m Figure 1 The technician has a device that can emit and detect ultrasound. The dev

  3. Q1(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 1(c): Explain why humans cannot hear infrasound. (2)

  4. Q3(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 markWave properties and the wave equationUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 3(b)(i): State one other example of a transverse wave. (1)

  5. Q3(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksWave properties and the wave equationUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 3(b)(ii): A point in the crust is labelled R in Figure 6. There is a rock at point R. Describe the effect that this earthquake wave has on the rock at R as the wave passe

  6. Q3(b)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksWave properties and the wave equationUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Higher, question 3(b)(iii): The wave from X reaches L 3.8 seconds after it passes through R. The speed of the wave is 4500 m / s. Calculate the distance between X and R. (2) distance = m

  7. Q9(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 markWave properties and the wave equationUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 9(b)(i): State one other example of a transverse wave. (1)

  8. Q9(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marksWave properties and the wave equationUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1 Foundation, question 9(b)(ii): A point in the crust is labelled R in Figure 17. There is a rock at point R. Describe the effect that this earthquake wave has on the rock at R as the wave pass

  9. Q10(d)

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Higher

    6 marksUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1 Higher, question 10(d): Explain how sound waves can be used to determine the depth of the ocean directly underneath a boat. You may draw a diagram to help with your answer. (6) .

  10. Q1(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    Mark scheme (PDF)
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Higher, question 1(a): The wavelength of the sound is 11 mm. Calculate the frequency of the sound. (2) Use the equation v = f × λ frequency = Hz

  11. Q1(b)

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Higher

    4 marksUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    Mark scheme (PDF)
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Higher, question 1(b): The pulse returns to the bat after a time of 18 ms. Calculate the distance from the bat to its prey. (4) distance = m

  12. Q10(a)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 markUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    Mark scheme (PDF)
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Higher, question 10(a)(i): Which of these gives the approximate range of frequencies for the human ear? (1) A 2 kHz to 2 Hz B 20 kHz to 20 Hz C 2 000 kHz to 2 kHz D 200 kHz to 20 kHz

  13. Q10(a)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Higher, question 10(a)(ii): Suggest two reasons why there are limits to the frequencies that a human ear can detect. (2) 1 2

  14. Q10(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Higher, question 10(b)(i): Explain how the signals in Figure 13a and Figure 13b show that there is a crack in the metal bar in Figure 13b. (2)

  15. Q10(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 markUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Higher, question 10(b)(ii): Suggest one reason why the amplitude of signal R in Figure 13b is smaller than the amplitude of signal P shown in Figure 13a. (1)

  16. Q10(c)

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Higher

    6 marksUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Higher, question 10(c): The table in Figure 14 gives information about seismic waves, S waves and P waves, produced by an earthquake. S waves P waves transverse longitudinal slow movin

  17. Q1(a)

    November 2021 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 markUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1 Higher, question 1(a): Which of these is a frequency of ultrasound? (1) A 2.3 Hz B 23 Hz C 2.3 kHz D 23 kHz

  18. Q1(b)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1 Higher, question 1(b)(i): One device called a pest repeller emits ultrasound. The ultrasound keeps mice out of the garden. Explain why the device affects mice but does not affect humans.

  19. Q1(b)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 1 Higher

    3 marksUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1 Higher, question 1(b)(ii): A technician has a different ultrasound device. This device can emit and detect short pulses of ultrasound. The device can also measure the time, in ms, from em

  20. Q10(a)(i)

    November 2020 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksUltrasound, infrasound and seismic waves
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1 Higher, question 10(a)(i): Describe two differences between the hearing responses of the human and the mouse. (2) 1 2
All 31 questions on Ultrasound, infrasound and seismic waves, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q1(a) (1 mark): Which of these is a frequency of infrasound? (1) A 2.2 Hz B 2.2 kHz C 22 Hz D 22 kHz
  2. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q1(b) (3 marks): Figure 1 shows a technician standing in front of a wall. wall technician 7.6 m Figure 1 The technician has a device that can emit and detect ultrasound. The dev
  3. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q1(c) (2 marks): Explain why humans cannot hear infrasound. (2)
  4. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): State one other example of a transverse wave. (1)
  5. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): A point in the crust is labelled R in Figure 6. There is a rock at point R. Describe the effect that this earthquake wave has on the rock at R as the wave passe
  6. June 2025, Paper 1 Higher, Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): The wave from X reaches L 3.8 seconds after it passes through R. The speed of the wave is 4500 m / s. Calculate the distance between X and R. (2) distance = m
  7. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): State one other example of a transverse wave. (1)
  8. June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9(b)(ii) (2 marks): A point in the crust is labelled R in Figure 17. There is a rock at point R. Describe the effect that this earthquake wave has on the rock at R as the wave pass
  9. June 2024, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(d) (6 marks): Explain how sound waves can be used to determine the depth of the ocean directly underneath a boat. You may draw a diagram to help with your answer. (6) .
  10. June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q1(a) (2 marks): The wavelength of the sound is 11 mm. Calculate the frequency of the sound. (2) Use the equation v = f × λ frequency = Hz
  11. June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q1(b) (4 marks): The pulse returns to the bat after a time of 18 ms. Calculate the distance from the bat to its prey. (4) distance = m
  12. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): Which of these gives the approximate range of frequencies for the human ear? (1) A 2 kHz to 2 Hz B 20 kHz to 20 Hz C 2 000 kHz to 2 kHz D 200 kHz to 20 kHz
  13. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(a)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest two reasons why there are limits to the frequencies that a human ear can detect. (2) 1 2
  14. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how the signals in Figure 13a and Figure 13b show that there is a crack in the metal bar in Figure 13b. (2)
  15. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why the amplitude of signal R in Figure 13b is smaller than the amplitude of signal P shown in Figure 13a. (1)
  16. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(c) (6 marks): The table in Figure 14 gives information about seismic waves, S waves and P waves, produced by an earthquake. S waves P waves transverse longitudinal slow movin
  17. November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q1(a) (1 mark): Which of these is a frequency of ultrasound? (1) A 2.3 Hz B 23 Hz C 2.3 kHz D 23 kHz
  18. November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): One device called a pest repeller emits ultrasound. The ultrasound keeps mice out of the garden. Explain why the device affects mice but does not affect humans.
  19. November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): A technician has a different ultrasound device. This device can emit and detect short pulses of ultrasound. The device can also measure the time, in ms, from em
  20. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe two differences between the hearing responses of the human and the mouse. (2) 1 2
  21. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(a)(ii) (1 mark): A farmer wants to use an alarm to scare away these birds. State which frequency would be most effective. Give the appropriate units. (1) frequency
  22. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(a)(iii) (1 mark): State the reason for your choice of frequency in (ii). (1)
  23. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(b) (2 marks): Describe the difference between ‘infrasound’ and ‘ultrasound’. (2)
  24. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(c) (2 marks): A transducer can transmit and detect ultrasonic waves. Figure 15 shows ultrasonic waves transmitted by the transducer on the bottom of a ship. transducer D sea
  25. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q10(d) (4 marks): Explain how vibrations from earthquakes may be used to study the core of the Earth. (4)
  26. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Draw arrows on Figure 13 to show how the rock at R moves when the seismic wave passes through R. (2)
  27. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(c) (2 marks): A technician measured the frequency of the water wave in part (a) by counting how many waves passed him in 15 s. Explain why this would not be a suitable method
  28. June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(c) (2 marks): The speed of sound in air is 300m/s. The speed of sound in water is 1500 m/s. Calculate the ratio of the speed of sound in air to the speed of sound in water. (
  29. June 2018, Paper 1 Higher, Q1(a) (1 mark): State one other example of a use of ultrasound. (1)
  30. June 2018, Paper 1 Higher, Q1(b) (1 mark): State an example of a use of infrasound. (1)
  31. June 2018, Paper 1 Higher, Q1(c) (4 marks): Figure 1 shows the depth of the sea, measured using sonar, at different distances from the shore. distance from the shore in m 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 0 2 4 6

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