plumiStationary waves: OCR A‑Level Physics A questions
Every OCR A-Level Physics A exam question on 4.4.4 Stationary waves, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Calculations
Q2(a)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 3, question 2(a): Explain how a stationary wave is formed on the wire. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55603-jun25-02-a-qp.webp?v=3)
Q2(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 3, question 2(b)(i): Suggest why the magnetic flux density, B, of the magnet does not appear in this equation. [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55603-jun25-02-bi-qp.webp?v=3)
Q2(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 3, question 2(b)(ii): Suggest a method to determine the mass per unit length, μ, of the wire. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55603-jun25-02-bii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q2(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 3, question 2(c)(i): Draw a worst acceptable line on the graph. [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55603-jun25-02-ci-qp.webp?v=3)
Q2(c)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 3, question 2(c)(ii): Use your worst acceptable line to calculate the percentage uncertainty in the gradient of the best fit line. gradient = 2.81 ± N1/2m–1% [3]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55603-jun25-02-cii-qp.webp?v=3)
![June 2025 Paper 3, question 2(c)(iii): Calculate a value for the mains frequency, f, including a percentage uncertainty. f = Hz ± % [3]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55603-jun25-02-ciii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q23(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 23(c)(i): Explain how stationary waves are formed inside the microwave oven. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h15601-jun25-23-ci-qp.webp?v=3)
Q23(c)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 23(c)(ii): Explain why the formation of stationary waves causes the soup to be heated unevenly. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h15601-jun25-23-cii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q1(a)
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 Paper 3, question 1(a): Show that a standard flute has an approximate length of 0.65 m. [3]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55603-jun24-01-a-qp.webp?v=3)
Q1(b)(ii)
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Q6(b)
The whole paper ↗
Q6(c)
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Q18(a)
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Q18(b)
The whole paper ↗![June 2023 Paper 2, question 18(b): Calculate the frequency f0 of the speaker that is producing the standing wave inside the tube. f0 = Hz [1]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h55602-jun23-18-b-qp.webp?v=3)
All 63 questions on Stationary waves, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q8 (1 mark): A student uses a tube closed at one end to determine the speed of sound. A stationary wave is formed within the tube. Which of the following quantities can be u
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q2(a) (2 marks): Explain how a stationary wave is formed on the wire. [2]
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why the magnetic flux density, B, of the magnet does not appear in this equation. [1]
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest a method to determine the mass per unit length, μ, of the wire. [2]
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): Draw a worst acceptable line on the graph. [1]
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q2(c)(ii) (3 marks): Use your worst acceptable line to calculate the percentage uncertainty in the gradient of the best fit line. gradient = 2.81 ± N1/2m–1% [3]
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q2(c)(iii) (3 marks): Calculate a value for the mains frequency, f, including a percentage uncertainty. f = Hz ± % [3]
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): The diagram shows a sound wave in an open pipe of length 1.4 m. 1.4 m The speed of the wave is 330 m s–1. Calculate the frequency of the wave. A 160 Hz B 240 Hz
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q23(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain how stationary waves are formed inside the microwave oven. [2]
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q23(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the formation of stationary waves causes the soup to be heated unevenly. [2]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q9 (1 mark): The diagram shows a string stretched between two posts. The string is plucked and a stationary wave is set up. P Q What is the phase difference between P and Q?
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q1(a) (3 marks): Show that a standard flute has an approximate length of 0.65 m. [3]
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q1(b)(ii) (4 marks): A standard flute is placed inside a sealed chamber. The chamber is filled with helium at a temperature of –10 °C. Calculate the lowest frequency that the flute
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): The diagram shows a stationary wave on a string. X Y What is the phase difference between the points on the wave labelled X and Y? A 0 π B 4 π C 2 D π Your answ
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): A stationary sound wave is created in air. The distance between two adjacent nodes of the stationary wave is 0.7 m. What is the frequency of the sound wave? Spe
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q6(b) (2 marks): Draw on Fig. 6.3 the stationary wave pattern for the fundamental mode of vibration. Label on Fig. 6.3 the positions, if any, of any nodes N and any antinodes A.
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q6(c) (1 mark): The frequency of the signal generator is increased until the next harmonic is displayed on the oscilloscope. Calculate the frequency fn of the next harmonic. fn
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q10 (1 mark): A column of air in a tube of length L, closed at one end, is forced to vibrate at its fundamental frequency. A standing wave is set up inside the tube. Which ro
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q18(a) (1 mark): On Fig. 18 sketch the standing wave for the fundamental mode of vibration. Fig. 18 _______________________________________________________ _____________________
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q18(b) (1 mark): Calculate the frequency f0 of the speaker that is producing the standing wave inside the tube. f0 = Hz [1]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q18(c) (2 marks): The frequency of the speaker is increased. Calculate the next frequency f1 that will produce a standing wave in this tube. f1 = Hz [2]
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q22(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain how a stationary wave with nodes and antinodes is formed. [3]
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q22(b)(ii) (3 marks): The student measures the amplitude of the stationary wave at a range of distances from the reflecting sheet A. Their results are shown below. amplitude 0 0.5 1
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q22(b)(iii) (2 marks): The student measures the distance between two adjacent nodes as 0.84 m. The frequency of the sound wave is 200 Hz. Use these measurements to calculate a value f
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q22(b)(iv) (1 mark): The student wants to reduce the uncertainty in their calculated value for the speed of sound waves in air. Suggest a suitable improvement to the student’s metho
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q7 (6 marks): 7* A student carries out an experiment to determine the speed v of sound in air. The student forms stationary sound waves in a resonance tube with water at the
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q16(c)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why the powder piles up at the nodes within the tube. [1]
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q16(c)(ii) (3 marks): Use Fig. 16.2 to determine the speed of sound v. v = m s–1 [3]
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q16(c)(iii) (2 marks): Determine the fundamental (minimum) frequency f0 of the stationary wave that can be formed within this tube. f0 = Hz [2]
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): A student is experimenting with sound waves of wavelength 3.0 cm and electromagnetic waves also of wavelength 3.0 cm. Which statement is correct about both of t
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q24(a) (1 mark): Stationary waves are formed on the surface of seawater in a harbour as incoming waves are reflected off the harbour wall. An observer is looking at these statio
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q24(b)(i) (2 marks): Suggest how the student may have determined the fundamental frequency of the oscillating wire in the laboratory. [2]
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q24(b)(ii) (5 marks): Use the data in the table to determine 1 the wavelength of the progressive waves on the stretched wire wavelength = m [1] 2 the speed of the progressive waves o
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q9 (1 mark): A stationary sound wave formed in a tube is shown below. tube 3.5 m The tube is closed at one end. The length of the tube is 3.5 m. The speed of sound is 340 m
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q16(b) (2 marks): State one difference and one similarity between the oscillations of a stationary sound wave and a progressive sound wave. Difference: Similarity: [2]
- November 2021, Paper 3, Q5(a) (4 marks): Explain how a stationary wave of fundamental frequency is produced and state the relationship between l and λ. [4]
- November 2021, Paper 3, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Show that the line of best fit has gradient = v 4 and y-intercept = – k. [2]
- November 2021, Paper 3, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate v from the gradient of the line of best fit. v = m s–1 [3]
- November 2021, Paper 3, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Use the line of best fit on the graph to estimate F. F = Hz [2]
- November 2021, Paper 3, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): The percentage uncertainty in the value of F can be written as 100 ΔF F where ΔF is the absolute uncertainty in F. Use the rules for combining uncertainties to
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): The stationary wave shown below is formed on a stretched string. The frequency of this stationary wave is 72 Hz. What is the fundamental frequency for a station
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): This question is about a progressive wave and a stationary wave. Which statement is correct? A A progressive wave has at least one node. B All progressive waves
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q11 (1 mark): A stationary sound wave, in its fundamental mode of vibration, is formed in a tube open at both ends. tube 0.17 m The length of the tube is 0.17 m. The speed of
- November 2020, Paper 3, Q5(d) (6 marks): A student carries out two investigations with these electromagnetic waves. In investigation 1, the student rotates the receiver aerial about the horizontal axis
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): This question is about progressive waves and stationary waves. Which statement is not correct? A A progressive wave transports energy through space. B A station
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): A stationary sound wave, of fundamental mode of vibration, is formed in a tube closed at one end. 0.17 m tube The length of the tube is 0.17 m. The speed of sou
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q17(a)(i) (1 mark): On Fig. 17.1, sketch a graph to show the variation of the displacement at time t = T 2. [1]
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q17(a)(ii) (1 mark): On Fig. 17.1, show the positions of all the nodes. Label each node N. [1]
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q17(b) (3 marks): Stationary sound waves are formed in a tube closed at one end. Fig. 17.2 shows three stationary wave patterns formed in the air column of the tube. 60 Hz 180 Hz
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): Stationary sound waves are produced in the air inside a tube. The tube is closed at one end. Which pattern of nodes (N) and antinodes (A) is likely to be correc
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q24(b)(i) (2 marks): Draw a straight line of best fit and determine the gradient of this line. gradient = Hz m [2]
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q24(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the gradient of the line is v 2, where v is the speed of sound. [2] Question 24 continues on the next page.
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q24(b)(iii) (1 mark): Use your answer in (i) and the information given in (ii) to determine v. v = m s–1 [1]
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q24(b)(iv) (2 marks): The smaller values of L are much more difficult to determine with the microphone in this experiment and this produces large percentage uncertainty in the values
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q4 (1 mark): A vibrating tuning fork is held above the open end of a long vertical tube. The other end of the tube, which is also open, is immersed in a tank of water. The l
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): The diagram below shows a stationary wave pattern for a sound wave in a tube. The tube has one open end and one closed end. 60 cm The length of the tube is 60 c
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q7(a) (6 marks): (a)* In an experiment to investigate microwaves, a microwave detector D is placed between a microwave transmitter T and a flat metal sheet. T D metal sheet dire
- June 2017, Paper 2, Q6 (1 mark): Stationary waves are produced in a tube closed at one end and open at the other end. The fundamental frequency is 120 Hz. What is a possible frequency of a harm
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q26(c) (3 marks): The stretched wire of fixed length is used in an experiment to demonstrate stationary waves. The tension in the wire is kept constant. Fig. 26 shows the three s
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q6(a) (2 marks): Describe how a stationary wave is different from a progressive wave. [2]
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q6(b) (6 marks): (b)* A student is investigating stationary waves in a hollow tube. The tube is open at one end and closed at the other end. The student connects a signal genera
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q26(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how a stationary wave pattern is produced in this arrangement. [2]
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q26(b)(ii) (1 mark): The stationary wave pattern shown in Fig. 26.2 is produced in the laboratory. Describe how the wavelength of the transverse wave on the stretched cord can be de
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