Properties of waves: Edexcel International GCSE Physics questions

Every Edexcel International GCSE Physics exam question on Properties of waves (specification points 3.2–3.9), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 87 questions on Properties of waves, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1, Q8(a) (2 marks): The waves on the surface of the water are transverse. State what is meant by a transverse wave. You may draw a diagram to help your answer. (2)
June 2025, Paper 1, Q8(b)(i) (2 marks): 1 cm in diagram 2 is equal to 2 cm in the laboratory. Use the diagram to measure the wavelength of the water waves. (2) wavelength = cm
June 2025, Paper 1, Q8(b)(ii) (3 marks): The dipper moves up and down with a frequency of 15 Hz. Calculate the speed of the waves. (3) wave speed = m / s
June 2025, Paper 2, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): Give the name of the variable that is measured on the x‑axis of the oscilloscope screen. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q7(a) (2 marks): Light is an example of a transverse wave. Describe a transverse wave. You may draw a diagram to help your answer. (2)
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking wave speed, frequency and wavelength. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a)(ii) (3 marks): Show that the mean wavelength of CMBR is about 2 mm. [speed of light = 3.0 × 108 m/s] (3)
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q8(c) (1 mark): A student changes the settings of the oscilloscope to alter the displayed wave in these two ways. • increase the amplitude of the wave • only display one time p
November 2024, Paper 1, Q8(a) (2 marks): Describe the difference between the motion of particles in a transverse wave and the motion of particles in a longitudinal wave. You may use a diagram to help y
November 2024, Paper 1, Q8(c) (3 marks): Visible light from the Sun reaches whale B. The wavelength of this light is 5.4 × 10–7 m. Calculate the frequency of this light. [speed of light = 3.0 × 108 m/s
November 2024, Paper 2, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): Determine the period of the variation in brightness for these stars. (2) period = s
November 2024, Paper 2, Q4(c)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the frequency of the variation in brightness for these stars. (2) frequency = Hz
June 2024, Paper 2, Q5(c)(i) (3 marks): Show that the time period of the sound wave is 2.0 ms. (3)
June 2024, Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): The diagram shows the screen of an oscilloscope. The timebase of the oscilloscope is 0.50 ms per square. Draw the trace on the oscilloscope screen when the soun
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q9(b) (5 marks): The diagram shows the screen of the oscilloscope and the oscilloscope settings. oscilloscope settings: y direction: 1 square = 2 V x direction: 1 square = 0.001
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q9(c) (3 marks): The graph shows how the wavelength of sound waves in air varies with their frequency. 4.0 3.0 Wavelength 2.0 in m 1.0 0 0 200 400 600 800 Frequency in Hz If wav
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Determine the wavelength of the microwave. (2) wavelength = cm
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (3 marks): The microwave has a frequency of 2.35 GHz. Show that the speed of the microwave is about 3 × 108 m/s. (3)
November 2023, Paper 2, Q7(b)(i) (2 marks): Use the trace on the oscilloscope to determine the time period of the detected sound wave. (2) time period = s
November 2023, Paper 2, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the frequency of the detected sound wave. (1) frequency = Hz
June 2023, Paper 1, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave. (1)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q4(a)(ii) (3 marks): GPR radio waves have a frequency of 170 MHz. The speed of radio waves is 3.0 × 108 m / s. Calculate the wavelength of the waves. (3) wavelength = m
June 2023, Paper 1, Q4(b)(i) (3 marks): A radio wave passes through the ground and refracts at the boundary between soil and rock. The diagram shows three wavefronts of the wave before and after refra
June 2023, Paper 1, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why the radio waves passing through the rock have a smaller wavelength than the radio waves passing through the soil. (3)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q6(a)(iii) (3 marks): Describe the difference between transverse waves and longitudinal waves. You may draw a diagram to help your answer. (3)
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q7(c)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the wavelength of a sound wave with a frequency of 15 000 Hz when the air temperature is 46 °C. (3) wavelength = m
January 2023, Paper 1, Q6(a) (1 mark): Optical fibres use light waves for communication. Which of these is a correct statement about waves? (1) A waves transfer energy, information and matter B waves
January 2023, Paper 1, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): Determine the amplitude of the wave by measuring it with a ruler. (1) amplitude = cm
January 2023, Paper 1, Q9(a)(ii) (1 mark): Determine the wavelength of the wave by measuring it with a ruler. (1) wavelength = cm
January 2023, Paper 1, Q9(b)(ii) (3 marks): Microwaves travel at a speed of 3.0 × 108 m / s in air. A microwave has a wavelength of 2.7 cm. Calculate the frequency of this microwave. [wave speed = frequen
January 2023, Paper 2, Q7(b)(i) (4 marks): Determine the frequency of the sound wave. (4) frequency = Hz
January 2023, Paper 2, Q7(b)(ii) (3 marks): The wavelength of the sound wave is 27 cm. Calculate the speed of sound. (3) speed of sound = m/s
January 2023, Paper 2, Q7(b)(iii) (2 marks): Describe how the oscilloscope could be adjusted to show fewer wave cycles on the screen. (2)
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking speed, wavelength and frequency of a wave. (1)
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q2(c)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the frequency of radio waves with a wavelength of 15 m. [speed of light = 300 000 000 m/s] (2) frequency = Hz
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(a) (2 marks): Explain what is meant by a frequency of 40 kHz. (2)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking wave speed, frequency and wavelength. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the wavelength of the sound wave. (3) wavelength = m
June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): The time period of the ultrasound waves must be measured to determine their frequency. Describe how the oscilloscope is used to measure the time period of the u
June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): Determine the time period of the ultrasound waves. (2) time period = s
June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(c)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the frequency of the ultrasound waves. (2) frequency = Hz
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q11(a)(i) (1 mark): Draw the normal at the point where the direction of travel of the waves meets the side of the boat. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q11(a)(ii) (1 mark): Measure the angle of incidence of the water waves. (1) angle of incidence = degrees
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q11(a)(iii) (3 marks): Complete the diagram to show the wavefronts after they reflect off the side of the boat. (3)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q11(b)(i) (2 marks): Surface water waves are transverse. Describe the difference between transverse waves and longitudinal waves. (2)
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Determine the period of the sound wave. (3) period = s
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the frequency of the sound wave. (2) frequency = Hz
January 2022, Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking speed, frequency and wavelength. (1)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the wavelength of Wi-Fi signals transmitted at 5.2 × 109 Hz. [speed of light = 3.0 × 108 m / s] (2) wavelength = m
January 2022, Paper 1, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): Which type of wave is a Wi-Fi signal? (1) A longitudinal B mechanical C sound D transverse
January 2022, Paper 1, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave. You may draw a diagram to help your answer. (2)
January 2022, Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (3 marks): Determine the period of the sound wave. (3) period = s
January 2022, Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the frequency of the sound wave. (2) frequency = Hz
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave. (1)
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q2(c)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the wavelength of a gamma ray with a frequency of 2.8 × 1019 Hz. [speed of gamma ray = 3.0 × 108 m/s] (3) wavelength = m
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q2(d) (1 mark): X‑rays and gamma rays are electromagnetic waves. Which of these graphs is correct for waves travelling at a constant speed? (1) frequency frequency 00 00 wavele
November 2021, Paper 2, Q8(a)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how an oscilloscope can be used to measure the time period of a sound wave. (2)
November 2021, Paper 2, Q8(b)(i) (4 marks): Determine whether the sound can be heard by humans. Include a calculation of frequency in your answer. (4)
November 2021, Paper 2, Q8(b)(ii) (2 marks): The oscilloscope settings are changed, as shown in Diagram 2. Oscilloscope settings y direction: 1 square = 1 V x direction: 1 square = 1 × 10-5 s Diagram 2 On
June 2021, Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the wavelength of this sound wave. [speed of sound = 330 m/s] (3) wavelength = m
June 2021, Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): The oscilloscope trace represents the sound wave. Oscilloscope settings y direction: 1 square = 5 V x direction: 1 square = 0.01 ms Determine the amplitude of t
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave. (1)
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (5 marks): Use the oscilloscope trace to calculate the speed of the wave. (5) speed = m/s
November 2020, Paper 1, Q1(a) (3 marks): The boxes give three types of wave behaviour and the diagrams give three examples of wave behaviour. Draw one straight line from each wave behaviour to the exam
November 2020, Paper 1, Q1(b) (2 marks): State two properties that all waves have in common. (2) 1 2
November 2020, Paper 1, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave. (1)
November 2020, Paper 1, Q9(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the wavelength of the radio wave. [speed of radio waves = 3.0 × 108 m/s] (3) wavelength = ………………………………………… m
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q3(b) (2 marks): Sound is a longitudinal wave. Describe what is meant by the term longitudinal wave. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q2(a) (2 marks): Calculate the time period of these x-rays. (2) time period = s
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b) (3 marks): X-rays have a speed of 3.00 × 108 m/s in air. Calculate the wavelength of these x-rays. (3) wavelength = m
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(a) (4 marks): Describe how an oscilloscope should be used to measure the frequency of the sound wave from the sonometer. (4)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): Give a control variable for the student’s investigation. (1)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): The table shows the student’s results. String Frequency in Hz length Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Mean in cm 20 105 104 108 106 40 53 54 52 53 60 36 32 35 80 25 28 26 2
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(b)(iii) (3 marks): Plot a graph of the mean frequency and string length data on the grid. (3)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(b)(iv) (1 mark): Draw the curve of best fit. (1)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(b)(v) (1 mark): Determine the string length needed to produce a sound wave of frequency 75 Hz. (1) string length = cm
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q1(a) (1 mark): Which arrow represents the amplitude of the wave? (1) A P B Q C R D S
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q1(b) (1 mark): Which arrow represents the wavelength of the wave? (1) A P B Q C R A S
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q1(c) (1 mark): What type of wave is this water wave? (1) A electromagnetic B gravitational C longitudinal D transverse
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q1(d) (2 marks): The time period of the wave is 2.7 s. Calculate the frequency of the wave. (2) frequency= Hz
January 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q8(b) (3 marks): Diagram 2 shows an oscilloscope trace. The trace represents the sound wave received by the microphone from buzzer A. Oscilloscope settings y direction: 1 square
June 2019, Paper 1, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Which of these waves is longitudinal? (1) A infrared B radio C sound D ultraviolet
June 2019, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the period of this sound wave. (3) period = s
June 2019, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the frequency of this sound wave. (2) frequency = Hz
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): Sound is an example of a type of wave. State the name of this type of wave. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): State the formula linking speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q2(c)(ii) (2 marks): Sound travels at a speed of 340 m/s in air. Calculate the wavelength of the sound wave from the buzzer. (2) wavelength = m

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