Skip to content
Try on iPad

The nature of waves: Eduqas A‑Level Physics questions

Every Eduqas A-Level Physics exam question on 3.1 The nature of waves, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

Find questions1,592
Calculations

1,592 questions

  1. Q1(a)(i)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    3 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 1(a)(i): Define the terms ‘transverse wave’ and ‘longitudinal wave’. Give an example of each type of wave. [3]

  2. Q1(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    3 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 1(a)(ii): Explain why only one of these two types of waves can be polarised and the other type cannot be polarised. [3]

  3. Q1(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    2 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 1(b)(i): Use the information in the diagram to calculate the wavelength of the waves. [2]

  4. Q1(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    1 mark3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 1(b)(ii): Draw an arrow on the diagram at Q to indicate the direction of wave travel. [1]

  5. Q1(b)(iii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    1 mark3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 1(b)(iii): State the phase of point P relative to point Q. [1]

  6. Q1(b)(iv)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    3 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 1(b)(iv): Calculate the phase of point R relative to point Q, giving your answer in radians. [3]

  7. Q1(c)(i)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    3 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 1(c)(i): Calculate the speed of propagation of the wave. [3]

  8. Q1(c)(iii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    3 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 1(c)(iii): Floella reads in a textbook that the energy carried by a wave is proportional to its amplitude squared. She states that, because the waves are spreading in circ

  9. Q1(a)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Component 2

    2 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Component 2, question 1(a)(i): Explain what is meant by a progressive wave. [2]

  10. Q1(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Component 2

    2 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Component 2, question 1(a)(ii): Progressive waves can be transverse or longitudinal. Explain the difference between these two types of waves. [2]

  11. Q1(b)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Component 2

    2 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Component 2, question 1(b)(i): Calculate the frequency of the wave. [2]

  12. Q1(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Component 2

    3 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Component 2, question 1(b)(ii): Sketch, on the grid opposite, a wave that has half the amplitude and a phase difference of 90º compared to the original wave. [3]

  13. Q8(d)

    June 2024 · Component 1

    4 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 1, question 8(d): Read through the following article carefully. Paragraph Some Physics of Music 1 When stationary waves are produced on a string, only certain frequencies are all

  14. Q8(e)

    June 2024 · Component 1

    3 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 1, question 8(e): Read through the following article carefully. Paragraph Some Physics of Music 1 When stationary waves are produced on a string, only certain frequencies are all

  15. Q1(d)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    3 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 1(d): Dave states, “The metal railings are very similar to a polariser for microwaves so the sound waves I’m detecting must be polarised.” Determine to what extent Da

  16. Q2(a)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    3 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 2(a): Explain why a stationary wave is produced between the loudspeaker and the wall. [3]

  17. Q2(b)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    4 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 2(b): While moving in the direction shown, Robin places a chalk line on the floor at each place where he detects a loud sound. The lines he places on the floor are sh

  18. Q2(c)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    6 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 2(c): State the differences between progressive and stationary waves. In your answer you should refer to amplitude, energy and phase. [6 QER]

  19. Q1(a)

    June 2024 · AS Component 2

    2 marks3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Component 2, question 1(a): Explain what is meant by a transverse wave. [2]

  20. Q1(b)(i)

    June 2024 · AS Component 2

    1 mark3.1 The nature of waves
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Component 2, question 1(b)(i): Explain what is meant by the amplitude of the wave. [1]
All 68 questions on The nature of waves, as a list
  1. June 2025, Component 3, Q1(a)(i) (3 marks): Define the terms ‘transverse wave’ and ‘longitudinal wave’. Give an example of each type of wave. [3]
  2. June 2025, Component 3, Q1(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why only one of these two types of waves can be polarised and the other type cannot be polarised. [3]
  3. June 2025, Component 3, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Use the information in the diagram to calculate the wavelength of the waves. [2]
  4. June 2025, Component 3, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): Draw an arrow on the diagram at Q to indicate the direction of wave travel. [1]
  5. June 2025, Component 3, Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): State the phase of point P relative to point Q. [1]
  6. June 2025, Component 3, Q1(b)(iv) (3 marks): Calculate the phase of point R relative to point Q, giving your answer in radians. [3]
  7. June 2025, Component 3, Q1(c)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the speed of propagation of the wave. [3]
  8. June 2025, Component 3, Q1(c)(iii) (3 marks): Floella reads in a textbook that the energy carried by a wave is proportional to its amplitude squared. She states that, because the waves are spreading in circ
  9. June 2025, AS Component 2, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain what is meant by a progressive wave. [2]
  10. June 2025, AS Component 2, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Progressive waves can be transverse or longitudinal. Explain the difference between these two types of waves. [2]
  11. June 2025, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the frequency of the wave. [2]
  12. June 2025, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): Sketch, on the grid opposite, a wave that has half the amplitude and a phase difference of 90º compared to the original wave. [3]
  13. June 2024, Component 1, Q8(d) (4 marks): Read through the following article carefully. Paragraph Some Physics of Music 1 When stationary waves are produced on a string, only certain frequencies are all
  14. June 2024, Component 1, Q8(e) (3 marks): Read through the following article carefully. Paragraph Some Physics of Music 1 When stationary waves are produced on a string, only certain frequencies are all
  15. June 2024, Component 3, Q1(d) (3 marks): Dave states, “The metal railings are very similar to a polariser for microwaves so the sound waves I’m detecting must be polarised.” Determine to what extent Da
  16. June 2024, Component 3, Q2(a) (3 marks): Explain why a stationary wave is produced between the loudspeaker and the wall. [3]
  17. June 2024, Component 3, Q2(b) (4 marks): While moving in the direction shown, Robin places a chalk line on the floor at each place where he detects a loud sound. The lines he places on the floor are sh
  18. June 2024, Component 3, Q2(c) (6 marks): State the differences between progressive and stationary waves. In your answer you should refer to amplitude, energy and phase. [6 QER]
  19. June 2024, AS Component 2, Q1(a) (2 marks): Explain what is meant by a transverse wave. [2]
  20. June 2024, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Explain what is meant by the amplitude of the wave. [1]
  21. June 2024, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the wavelength of the wave. [2]
  22. June 2024, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(iii) (2 marks): Determine the frequency of the wave if it travels with a speed of 340 m s–1 [2]
  23. June 2024, AS Component 2, Q1(c) (2 marks): Determine the phase difference between points labelled P and Q and state which point is leading. [2]
  24. June 2024, AS Component 2, Q4(b)(i) (4 marks): A large earthquake on the Earth’s surface creates two types of waves that have speeds of 6.0 km s–1 and 3.5 km s–1 The waves travel to a monitoring station. The
  25. June 2024, AS Component 2, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Japan and Mexico have developed an earthquake early warning system costing billions of pounds. Discuss whether all countries should develop such a system. [2]
  26. June 2023, Component 3, Q1(a) (2 marks): State what is meant by the wavelength of a sound wave. [2]
  27. June 2023, Component 3, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain clearly why the speed, c, of a wave is given by: λ c = T where λ is the wavelength of the wave and T its period. [2]
  28. June 2023, Component 3, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): A student carries out an experiment to measure the speed of sound by using the echo from a distant wall. She measures the distance to the wall as 90.0 m and the
  29. June 2023, Component 3, Q1(b)(iii) (3 marks): Extending her investigation, the student measures the wavelength of low frequency sound waves generated by a loudspeaker. By looking directly at the slow-moving
  30. June 2023, Component 3, Q1(b)(iv) (3 marks): The student uses a stroboscope to check the frequency of oscillation of the loudspeaker. She concludes that the frequency of the loudspeaker is 1.3 Hz because t
  31. June 2023, Component 3, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): microwave radiation [1]
  32. June 2023, Component 3, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): ultraviolet radiation. [1]
  33. June 2023, AS Component 2, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the wavelength of the wave. [2]
  34. June 2023, AS Component 2, Q1(a)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the frequency of the wave. [3]
  35. June 2023, AS Component 2, Q1(a)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the speed of the wave. [2]
  36. June 2023, AS Component 2, Q1(b) (3 marks): Declan states that it is not possible to determine whether the wave can be polarised based on these two graphs. Evaluate whether Declan is correct. [3]
  37. June 2022, AS Component 2, Q1(a) (3 marks): Waves may be described as being either transverse or longitudinal. Explain the difference between the two types of waves. [3]
  38. June 2022, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): Sketch a graph of the displacement of point P against time for at least one complete cycle. Include scales on the axes.  [3] Space for calculations.
  39. June 2022, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Compare the motions of points P and R on the rope. [2]
  40. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q1(a)(i) (3 marks): Angela holds one polarising filter in front of a filament bulb while rotating another in front of her eye. Describe how the brightness of the bulb changes as sh
  41. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): She now examines light from a source which is partially polarised (a mixture of polarised and unpolarised light) by rotating a single polarising filter. Describ
  42. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q1(b) (3 marks): In the following Young’s double slit set-up, the laser emits unpolarised light. Two polarising filters are placed after the double slits so that the light from
  43. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q1(a) (2 marks): Bruce throws a lump of coal towards Dani which she catches. Bruce claims that, because chemical energy is being transferred from himself to Dani, the lump of co
  44. June 2019, Component 3, Q1(a) (2 marks): State the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves. [2]
  45. June 2019, Component 3, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): State the amplitude of the wave. [1]
  46. June 2019, Component 3, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): State the wavelength of the wave. [1]
  47. June 2019, Component 3, Q1(b)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate the speed of the wave. [3]
  48. June 2019, Component 3, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): Draw an arrow to indicate the direction of motion of the wavefront at point S. [1]
  49. June 2019, Component 3, Q1(c)(ii) (1 mark): State the point(s) oscillating in phase with point P. [1]
  50. June 2019, AS Component 2, Q2(a) (6 marks): Explain what properties of light from a laser can be determined using polarisation and interference. Give practical details. [6 QER]
  51. June 2019, AS Component 2, Q2(b) (3 marks): The polarisation of light is used in Liquid Crystal Display TVs. These have been developed from research into new organic materials. Discuss the importance of r
  52. June 2018, Component 3, Q5(a) (3 marks): Describe the differences between a stationary wave and a progressive wave in terms of energy, phase and amplitude. [3]
  53. June 2018, Component 3, Q5(b) (3 marks): Show that the frequencies corresponding to stationary waves are given by: v f = n 2L where n is any whole number (n = 2 in the above diagram). [3]
  54. June 2018, Component 3, Q5(c) (3 marks): The data obtained are plotted on the grid below. Frequency / Hz 500 400 300 200 100 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 n Explain to what extent the graph agrees with the equation:
  55. June 2018, Component 3, Q5(d) (3 marks): The experiment is repeated with the tube filled with nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a gas that is 1.5 times denser than air. The speed of sound in a gas is inversely p
  56. June 2018, Component 3, Q5(e) (3 marks): A car company is fined £15 billion for excessive NO2 emissions of its diesel engines. However, there is little or no reliable evidence that NO2 produces any det
  57. June 2018, AS Component 2, Q1(a) (2 marks): Explain what is meant by a progressive wave. [2]
  58. June 2018, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Determine the phase difference between: [2] A and B B and C
  59. June 2018, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(ii) (4 marks): A geologist at a monitoring station notes that there are 50 complete cycles of the wave in a time interval of 20 s. Calculate the speed of the wave. [4]
  60. June 2018, AS Component 2, Q1(d) (2 marks): Explain how data obtained by geologists about earthquakes from various monitoring stations can benefit society. [2]
  61. June 2017, Component 1, Q7(c) (4 marks): Read through the following article carefully. Cool Physics for Smart Phones by Justino Luis Moreno Paragraph Some meters can be expensive to buy but if you’ve g
  62. June 2017, Component 1, Q7(d)(i) (1 mark): Read through the following article carefully. Cool Physics for Smart Phones by Justino Luis Moreno Paragraph Some meters can be expensive to buy but if you’ve g
  63. June 2017, Component 1, Q7(d)(ii) (2 marks): Read through the following article carefully. Cool Physics for Smart Phones by Justino Luis Moreno Paragraph Some meters can be expensive to buy but if you’ve g
  64. June 2017, AS Component 2, Q1(a) (2 marks): Sound is a longitudinal wave. State what is meant by a longitudinal wave. [2]
  65. June 2017, AS Component 2, Q1(b) (1 mark): Determine the amplitude of the signal shown. [1]
  66. June 2017, AS Component 2, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): In order to probe muscle tissue in the human body, ultrasound is used with a wavelength of 0.40 mm and a speed in muscle of 1 580 m s–1. Calculate the frequency
  67. June 2017, AS Component 2, Q1(c)(ii) (3 marks): Evaluate whether the sound wave detected by the microphone as shown above can be used to probe muscle tissue. [3]
  68. June 2016, AS Component 2, Q2(a) (2 marks): Determine the phase difference between oscillations of the air at Q and at P. Take the speed of sound in air as 340 m s–1. [2]

Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © WJEC Eduqas, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? Every Eduqas A-Level Physics paper.

Rather write your answers by hand on iPad? Plumi marks them against the same mark schemes.