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Wave properties: Eduqas A‑Level Physics questions

Every Eduqas A-Level Physics exam question on 3.2 Wave properties, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,592 questions

  1. Q2(a)(i)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    2 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 2(a)(i): Explain why the n = 0 order beam produces a bright white dot. [2]

  2. Q2(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    2 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 2(a)(ii): Explain why the n = 1 order beam produces a spectrum. [2]

  3. Q2(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    3 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 2(b)(i): Yellow light of wavelength 575 nm is seen in the n = 2 spectrum at an angle of 16.1°. Calculate the number of lines per mm in the diffraction grating. [3]

  4. Q2(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Component 3

    3 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Component 3, question 2(b)(ii): Yousef states that it is impossible for any visible wavelength in the n = 2 spectrum to overlap with the n = 1 visible spectrum. Determine whether Yousef is cor

  5. Q2(a)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Component 2

    2 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Component 2, question 2(a)(i): Explain how diffraction and interference lead to a variation in intensity. [2]

  6. Q2(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Component 2

    2 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Component 2, question 2(a)(ii): The slits S1 and S2 act as sources that are in phase with each other. Explain how the diagram confirms that S1 and S2 are in phase. [2]

  7. Q2(b)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Component 2

    2 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Component 2, question 2(b)(i): Explain the phase relationship between waves from S1 and S2 when they arrive at point P. [2]

  8. Q2(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Component 2

    3 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Component 2, question 2(b)(ii): A physics textbook states that the wavelength of microwaves is in the range 1 mm to 30 cm. Evaluate whether this is consistent with the values in the diagram. [

  9. Q8(a)(i)

    June 2024 · Component 1

    1 mark3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 1, question 8(a)(i): 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

  10. Q8(a)(ii)

    June 2024 · Component 1

    1 mark3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 1, question 8(a)(ii): 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

  11. Q8(b)

    June 2024 · Component 1

    2 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 1, question 8(b): 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

  12. Q8(c)

    June 2024 · Component 1

    2 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 1, question 8(c): 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

  13. Q1(a)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    4 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 1(a): When the frequency of the sound waves is 550 Hz, Dave states that he doesn’t hear much sound from the loudspeaker and that there are no areas of loud sound as h

  14. Q1(b)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    3 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 1(b): Morwenna increases the frequency of the sound waves to 5500 Hz and Dave says that there are 5 directions of very loud sound on the other side of the metal raili

  15. Q1(c)

    June 2024 · Component 3

    3 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Component 3, question 1(c): Calculate all the angles, θ, at which you would expect the loud sounds to occur. [3] View from above θ

  16. Q2(a)

    June 2024 · AS Component 2

    4 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Component 2, question 2(a): Explain in clear steps why bright beams emerge from the grating at angles, θ, to the normal given by the equation: [4] nλ = dsinθ

  17. Q2(b)(i)

    June 2024 · AS Component 2

    3 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Component 2, question 2(b)(i): Calculate the angle to the normal for the first order beam. [3]

  18. Q2(b)(ii)

    June 2024 · AS Component 2

    3 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Component 2, question 2(b)(ii): Determine the maximum number of bright spots observed on the screen. [3]

  19. Q4(a)

    June 2024 · AS Component 2

    6 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Component 2, question 4(a): Describe an experiment to measure the speed of sound in air using stationary waves in a resonance tube. Include details of graphical analysis in your answer. [6

  20. Q2(a)

    June 2023 · Component 3

    3 marks3.2 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Component 3, question 2(a): Complete the diagram to show the diffraction of waves after passing through the slit. [3] wavelength
All 87 questions on Wave properties, as a list
  1. June 2025, Component 3, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the n = 0 order beam produces a bright white dot. [2]
  2. June 2025, Component 3, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the n = 1 order beam produces a spectrum. [2]
  3. June 2025, Component 3, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Yellow light of wavelength 575 nm is seen in the n = 2 spectrum at an angle of 16.1°. Calculate the number of lines per mm in the diffraction grating. [3]
  4. June 2025, Component 3, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): Yousef states that it is impossible for any visible wavelength in the n = 2 spectrum to overlap with the n = 1 visible spectrum. Determine whether Yousef is cor
  5. June 2025, AS Component 2, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain how diffraction and interference lead to a variation in intensity. [2]
  6. June 2025, AS Component 2, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): The slits S1 and S2 act as sources that are in phase with each other. Explain how the diagram confirms that S1 and S2 are in phase. [2]
  7. June 2025, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain the phase relationship between waves from S1 and S2 when they arrive at point P. [2]
  8. June 2025, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): A physics textbook states that the wavelength of microwaves is in the range 1 mm to 30 cm. Evaluate whether this is consistent with the values in the diagram. [
  9. June 2024, Component 1, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): 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
  10. June 2024, Component 1, Q8(a)(ii) (1 mark): 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
  11. June 2024, Component 1, Q8(b) (2 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
  12. June 2024, Component 1, Q8(c) (2 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
  13. June 2024, Component 3, Q1(a) (4 marks): When the frequency of the sound waves is 550 Hz, Dave states that he doesn’t hear much sound from the loudspeaker and that there are no areas of loud sound as h
  14. June 2024, Component 3, Q1(b) (3 marks): Morwenna increases the frequency of the sound waves to 5500 Hz and Dave says that there are 5 directions of very loud sound on the other side of the metal raili
  15. June 2024, Component 3, Q1(c) (3 marks): Calculate all the angles, θ, at which you would expect the loud sounds to occur. [3] View from above θ
  16. June 2024, AS Component 2, Q2(a) (4 marks): Explain in clear steps why bright beams emerge from the grating at angles, θ, to the normal given by the equation: [4] nλ = dsinθ
  17. June 2024, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the angle to the normal for the first order beam. [3]
  18. June 2024, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): Determine the maximum number of bright spots observed on the screen. [3]
  19. June 2024, AS Component 2, Q4(a) (6 marks): Describe an experiment to measure the speed of sound in air using stationary waves in a resonance tube. Include details of graphical analysis in your answer. [6
  20. June 2023, Component 3, Q2(a) (3 marks): Complete the diagram to show the diffraction of waves after passing through the slit. [3] wavelength
  21. June 2023, Component 3, Q2(b) (2 marks): It is often stated that a diffraction grating should be called an interference grating because the pattern produced is usually called an interference pattern. E
  22. June 2023, Component 3, Q2(c)(i) (5 marks): Calculate the number of lines per cm for the diffraction grating, quoting your final answer to an appropriate number of significant figures. [5]
  23. June 2023, Component 3, Q2(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why maximising the distances John was measuring improved the precision of the final answer. [2]
  24. June 2023, Component 3, Q2(d) (3 marks): The unknown wavelength of a laser can be measured using a diffraction grating or a double slit. Kevin states that it is better to use a diffraction grating. Eva
  25. June 2023, AS Component 2, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): The arrangement ensures that light emerging from slits S and T is coherent. Explain what is meant by the term coherent. [1]
  26. June 2023, AS Component 2, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): The light emerging from slits S and T is in phase. Explain the term in phase. [1]
  27. June 2023, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how the bright fringe A is formed. [2]
  28. June 2023, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(ii) (4 marks): On the interference pattern obtained, the distance shown is 24.3 mm. The laser light has a wavelength of 6.42 × 10–7 m and the separation of the double slits S
  29. June 2022, AS Component 2, Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): State the principle of superposition. [2]
  30. June 2022, AS Component 2, Q1(c)(ii) (3 marks): Waves in the form of single pulses are sent along a rope and travel in opposite directions as shown below. Sketch the motion of the pulses at times t = 1.0 s, 2
  31. June 2022, AS Component 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): Explain the term diffraction. [1]
  32. June 2022, AS Component 2, Q2(b) (3 marks): The two diagrams show water wavefronts as they approach two slits of different sizes. Carefully complete the diagrams to show how the size of the slit affects t
  33. June 2022, AS Component 2, Q2(c)(i) (2 marks): Show that the diffraction angle for the third order spot is 53°. [2]
  34. June 2022, AS Component 2, Q2(c)(ii) (4 marks): Calculate the wavelength of the laser light. [4]
  35. June 2022, AS Component 2, Q2(d) (4 marks): The diffraction grating is now replaced with a double slit. Calculate the wavelength of laser light from this set-up using the information given on the diagram.
  36. June 2022, AS Component 2, Q2(e) (3 marks): In the methods of parts (c) and (d), the slit separation and the number of lines per mm are measured precisely by the manufacturers and have negligible uncertai
  37. 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
  38. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q1(c)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the number of lines per mm in the diffraction grating. [3]
  39. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): Another laser is used and it is found that the n = 3 bright fringe is at exactly the same angle (47°) as the n = 2 line of the 633 nm laser. Calculate the wavel
  40. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(a) (3 marks): The next stationary wave has three times the frequency. Draw the amplitude profile for this stationary wave and the third stationary wave in the diagrams above.
  41. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the speed of sound is given by: c = 4Lf where c is the speed of sound in air. [2]
  42. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Complete the table for the 480 Hz tuning fork. [2] Space for calculations.
  43. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): Dwight determined that the maximum uncertainty in the measured length was ± 0.3 cm and used this as the uncertainty in each mean length. He then produced the fo
  44. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(b)(iv) (2 marks): Dwight researches the speed of sound at 20 °C and finds that it should be 343 m s–1. He concludes that the values of the speed of sound in the table are inaccur
  45. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(b)(v) (2 marks): Dwight’s teacher comments that there is an end correction that must be included for sound waves in pipes. She states that the actual equation for the speed of s
  46. Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(b)(vi) (2 marks): Discuss to what extent the final values are accurate and consistent with the published value of 343 m s–1. [2]
  47. Autumn 2020, Component 1, Q8(g)(ii) (3 marks): Read through the following article carefully. ROCKET PHYSICS Paragraph (including extracts from REAL WORLD PHYSICS PROBLEMS) Picture of Saturn V Launch for Apol
  48. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain why the food can be seen through the door while the user is safe from dangerous microwaves of wavelength 12 cm. [3]
  49. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q1(c) (4 marks): Two water waves of equal amplitude but different frequencies meet. The variation of the displacements of each wave is shown in the graph at the meeting point of
  50. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q3(a)(i) (3 marks): Show clearly that the measured wavelength of the laser light is 592 nm using the n = 1 data in the diagram. [3]
  51. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q3(a)(ii) (4 marks): Show clearly that the n = 1 data in the diagram leads to an uncertainty in the wavelength of ± 2 nm. You may assume that the manufacturer’s labelling of 300 lin
  52. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q3(b) (2 marks): The manufacturer of the laser states that its wavelength is exactly 593.5 nm. The n = 2 data in the diagram lead to a measured laser wavelength of 594 ± 1 nm. E
  53. Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q3(c) (2 marks): Explain why the n = 1 data (592 ± 2 nm) lead to a larger uncertainty than the n = 2 data (594 ± 1 nm). [2]
  54. June 2019, Component 3, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain whether Figure 2a or Figure 2b has the wider slit. [2]
  55. June 2019, Component 3, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): State what can be done to the single slit to obtain the greatest amount of diffraction. [1]
  56. June 2019, Component 3, Q2(b) (2 marks): Tick (√) the appropriate boxes to show which of the following arrangements allow an interference pattern to be observed/heard. [2] Yes Yes Loud speakers Sig Sod
  57. June 2019, Component 3, Q2(c) (4 marks): Laser light is shone at a diffraction grating with slit separation 2.4 µm and a total of nine bright beams are produced (see below). Determine the maximum and m
  58. June 2019, AS Component 2, Q1(a) (3 marks): Explain why stationary waves are formed at particular frequencies only. [3]
  59. June 2019, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the speed of the waves on the string. [3]
  60. June 2019, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(ii) (4 marks): At a higher frequency there are two more loops formed than at 450 Hz and each is of length 10.0 cm. Determine the number of loops observed at 450 Hz. [4]
  61. 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]
  62. June 2018, Component 3, Q1(a) (1 mark): State what is meant by two coherent sources. [1]
  63. June 2018, Component 3, Q1(b) (2 marks): In the 1700s, light was thought to consist of a stream of particles. In the 1800s, it was said to be a wave but since the early 1900s it has been accepted that
  64. June 2018, Component 3, Q1(c)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the fringe separation from the above diagram. [2]
  65. June 2018, Component 3, Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): The distance between the slits and the screen is 4.66 m. Calculate the wavelength of the laser light. [2]
  66. June 2018, Component 3, Q1(c)(iii) (2 marks): State one advantage and one disadvantage of using a large slit-to-screen distance. [2]
  67. June 2017, Component 1, Q7(a) (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
  68. June 2017, Component 1, Q7(b) (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
  69. June 2017, Component 3, Q6(a) (3 marks): Adding to the diagram, derive the equation nλ = dsinθ for a diffraction grating. [3] diffraction grating monochromatic light
  70. June 2017, Component 3, Q6(b) (4 marks): A diffraction grating has 250 lines per mm and light of wavelength 532 nm is incident normally upon it. Calculate the angle between the first and second order l
  71. June 2017, Component 3, Q6(c) (2 marks): Another diffraction grating has half the angle between the first and second order light beams when light of wavelength 532 nm is incident upon it. Estimate the
  72. June 2017, Component 3, Q7(a) (4 marks): Explain how two source interference patterns arise. [4]
  73. June 2017, Component 3, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): Place an X on the line AB at any point where there is a path difference of 3 wavelengths between waves from the two sources. [1]
  74. June 2017, Component 3, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): Place a Y on the line AB at any point where there is a path difference of 1.5 wavelengths between waves from the two sources. [1]
  75. June 2017, Component 3, Q7(c)(i) (2 marks): The diagram is actual size. Measure the wavelength of the waves accurately by using the distance between wavefronts. [2]
  76. June 2017, Component 3, Q7(c)(ii) (3 marks): D is a good approximation for the given diagram. Show your working. [3]
  77. June 2017, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Explain what is meant by this statement. [1]
  78. June 2017, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why destructive interference is observed at certain points on the screen. [3]
  79. June 2017, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(i) (4 marks): The separation of the slits, B and C is 0.090 mm and the perpendicular distance between the slits and the screen is 3.60 m. The slits are illuminated with light
  80. June 2017, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Determine the distance from X to the next dark fringe formed. [2]
  81. June 2017, AS Component 2, Q5(c) (2 marks): Explain the historical significance of this experiment. [2]
  82. June 2016, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain why a sequence of maximum and minimum signals is detected as the microphone is moved from loudspeaker A to loudspeaker B. [3]
  83. June 2016, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(ii) (4 marks): The microphone is positioned at a minimum near to loudspeaker A. It is then moved 60.0 cm towards B to another minimum position. Four successive maxima are dete
  84. June 2016, AS Component 2, Q4(a) (3 marks): Explain why the bright fringes are seen. [3]
  85. June 2016, AS Component 2, Q4(b)(i) (3 marks): Use the data to plot a graph of mean fringe spacing (y-axis) against distance to the screen (x-axis). [3]
  86. June 2016, AS Component 2, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): Use your graph to determine the wavelength of the laser light (the distance between the centres of the double slits is 0.25 mm). Show your workings clearly and
  87. June 2016, AS Component 2, Q5(a) (4 marks): Determine the wavelength of the light if the distance between the two adjacent bright spots shown is 55.0 cm. [4]

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