Wave behaviour: OCR GCSE Combined Science A questions

Every OCR GCSE Combined Science A exam question on P4.1 Wave behaviour, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 71 questions on Wave behaviour, as a list

June 2025, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): The diagram shows a photograph of the pattern of water waves, drawn to scale. A student measures the wavelength of the water waves with a ruler. Which method wi
June 2025, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q11(a) (1 mark): An oscilloscope is used to display the sound waves produced at each location. The settings on the oscilloscope remain the same for each location. At which locat
June 2025, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q11(b) (3 marks): One of the sound waves recorded has a frequency of 250 Hz. The speed of sound in the concert hall is 340 m / s. Calculate the wavelength of this sound. Use the
June 2025, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q11(c) (2 marks): The engineer places a candle in front of a loudspeaker. The loudspeaker produces a low frequency sound. Complete the sentences to explain why the candle flame v
June 2025, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): The displacement-time graph is shown for a wave passing a point. P Q Displacement Time Which quantity is indicated by the arrow PQ? A Amplitude B Frequency C Pe
June 2025, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q13(a) (2 marks): The frequency, wavelength and speed of the waves can be changed. State the unit for each of the variables. Frequency Wavelength Wave speed [2]
June 2025, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q13(b) (2 marks): The student takes a photograph of the wave pattern projected onto the white paper. Fig. 13.2 shows a diagram of the photograph. Fig. 13.2 Describe how the stude
June 2025, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q13(c): The student lifts the ripple tank at one end so that the water is deeper at one end of the ripple tank than at the other end. The student uses the motor and pad
June 2024, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): The diagram shows a picture of a water wave in a ripple tank. P Q Which row shows the correct labels for the diagram? P Q A amplitude frequency B amplitude wave
June 2024, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13 (6 marks): 13* A student investigates the speed of a water wave using this equipment. Water Plastic tray Ruler Stopwatch The student lifts one side of the plastic tray and
June 2024, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q14(a) (1 mark): Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves. Describe what a transverse wave is. You can label the diagram of a transverse wave to help explain your answer. Dire
June 2024, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q12(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe how Derham used the firing of the cannon to work out the speed of sound. [2]
June 2024, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q12(b)(ii) (1 mark): Why is it important that the cannon is a long distance away? [1]
June 2024, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q12(c)(i) (2 marks): Derham calculated the speed of sound using an old unit of distance called the Parisian foot. One value he calculated for the speed of sound was 1122 Parisian fe
June 2024, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q12(c)(ii) (3 marks): Today, scientists know the speed of sound is 1056 Parisian feet per second. The percentage difference between Derham’s value and today’s value for the speed of
June 2024, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q12(d) (2 marks): Fig. 12.1 shows air particles in a room. Fig. 12.1 Air particle A scientist produces a sound wave in the room using a vibrating tuning fork. Describe what happe
June 2023, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): In an experiment, three students work out values for the speed of sound. Student Speed of sound (m / s) 1 313 2 330 3 320 What is the range of values for the sp
June 2023, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): Which wave has the highest frequency? A Height (cm) B Height (cm) 3 3 2 2 1 1 0 0 Time (s) Time (s) 0.0 0.5 1.0 0.0 0.5 1.0 –1 –1 –2 –2 –3 –3 C Height (cm) D He
June 2023, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q14(a)(i) (2 marks): Write the letter B, C or D in the correct boxes to label the diagram. One has been done for you. Direction of wave travel Direction of particle vibration Compre
June 2023, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q14(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which type of wave is a sound wave? Tick (3) one box. Amplitude wave Longitudinal wave Transverse wave Water wave [1]
June 2023, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q14(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe how the student can use the app to measure the speed of sound. Include the names of other equipment that the student will need to use. [3]
June 2023, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q14(b)(ii) (1 mark): Another student suggests using this stopwatch. reset 0:00 00 Stopwatch Suggest why the ‘acoustic stopwatch’ on the mobile phone app is an improvement on using t
June 2023, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q14(c) (3 marks): The wavelength of a sound wave is 0.55 m. The speed of sound in air is 330 m / s. Calculate the frequency of the sound wave. Use the Equation Sheet. Frequency =
June 2023, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): In summer, a layer of warm air forms above a layer of dense cool air in the atmosphere. This causes radio waves to bend instead of travelling in straight lines.
June 2023, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q17(a) (2 marks): Describe the motion of air particles in a sound wave. You may include a labelled diagram. [2]
June 2023, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q17(b)(i) (3 marks): Table 17.1 shows the results for one student. Table 17.1 Length of tube above the water 0.175 m Frequency of tuning fork 480 Hz The wavelength of the sound = 4
June 2023, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q17(b)(ii) (3 marks): Table 17.2 shows the results for the group of students. Table 17.2 Student Speed of sound (m / s) 1 314 2 320 3 330 4 315 5 321 The quality of these results can
June 2023, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q17(b)(iii) (2 marks): The speed of sound at 20 °C is 343 m / s. Evaluate the precision and accuracy of the results in Table 17.2. Precision Accuracy [2]
June 2023, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q17(b)(iv) (1 mark): Which statement improves the accuracy of the results? Tick (3) one box. Holding the tuning fork as close as possible to the end of the tube Measuring the volume
June 2023, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q17(b)(v) (1 mark): Which statement describes a systematic error in the experiment? Tick (3) one box. Background noise in the laboratory Changes in the temperature of the air Measu
June 2022, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): The wavelength of a water wave is 10 cm. The frequency of the wave is 5 Hz. What is the speed of the water wave? Use the equation: wave speed = frequency × wave
June 2022, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): In an experiment, 80 waves are produced in 20 s. What is the frequency of the waves? A 0.25 Hz B 4 Hz C 16 Hz D 1600 Hz [1] Your answer
June 2022, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): A student stands near a wall and claps their hands. The sound echo takes 0.2 s to return to the student. The speed of sound is 330 m / s. What is the distance b
June 2022, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13(a) (2 marks): A teacher uses the ripple tank in Fig. 13.1 to show refraction of water waves. Label Fig. 13.1 using words from the list. Lamp Pattern of waves Tray of water Vi
June 2022, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13(b) (1 mark): Fig. 13.2 shows the pattern of the water waves when the teacher places a thick piece of plastic into the ripple tank. Fig. 13.2 Refracted waves Incident waves T
June 2022, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13(c)(i) (2 marks): The amplitude of wave A is bigger than the amplitude of wave B. Calculate how many times bigger. Answer = [2]
June 2022, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13(c)(ii) (2 marks): A student says, ‘A wave with a high frequency has a long wavelength.’ Explain why the student is incorrect. Use Fig. 13.3 to explain your answer. [2]
June 2022, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): This is a picture of a longitudinal wave. The wave is drawn to scale. What is the wavelength of the wave? A 0.5 cm B 2.5 cm C 5.0 cm D 10 cm Your answer [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q14(a) (2 marks): Explain how the ripple tank and a thick sheet of plastic can be used to show refraction of water waves. [2]
June 2022, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q14(b) (2 marks): Complete Fig. 14.2 to show the wave pattern when the incident waves enter the region of low wave speed. Fig. 14.2 Incident waves Region of high Region of low wa
November 2021, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13(a)(i) (1 mark): The students want to calculate the frequency of the waves in the bowl. Define frequency. [1]
November 2021, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13(a)(ii) (1 mark): In 10 seconds, 10 waves are made in the bowl. State the frequency of the waves. Frequency = Hz [1]
November 2021, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13(a)(iii) (2 marks): The students want to measure the wavelength of the water’s waves. Describe a way for them to do this accurately. [2]
November 2021, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13(b) (1 mark): Sound is a longitudinal wave. Fig. 13.2 shows one particle in a sound wave travelling in air. Show how the air particle moves by adding two arrows to Fig. 13.2.
November 2021, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13(c)(i) (1 mark): The speed of light is 3 × 108 m / s. Estimate how many times greater the speed of light is than the speed of sound. [1]
November 2021, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13(c)(ii) (3 marks): A storm is 1340 m away. A student sees the lightning and then hears the thunder 4 s later. Calculate the speed of sound. Use the equation: distance travelled =
November 2021, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13(d) (2 marks): The speed of sound can be worked out using two different methods. Method 1: Clapping your hands and timing the echo from a wall. Method 2: Measuring the time to
November 2021, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): Some waves are transverse. Some waves are longitudinal. Which row in the table is correct? Transverse Longitudinal light sound A sound light B C sound water rip
November 2021, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): The speed of sound is greater than the speed of a person walking. Estimate how many times greater. 102 A 104 B 106 C 108 D Your answer [1]
November 2021, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q15(b) (2 marks): The students count the number of droplets hitting the water in the bowl. In 20 seconds, 5 droplets hit the water in the bowl. Calculate the frequency of the wav
November 2021, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q15(c) (1 mark): How can the students tell that the water waves travel but the water does not? [1]
November 2020, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): A student makes transverse waves in a tray of water. He places a cork on the surface of the water. Cork Water Which row in the table describes the experiment co
November 2020, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q13(b) (2 marks): A student wants to work out the speed of water waves in a ripple tank. Fig. 13.1 shows the apparatus the student uses. Lamp Vibration generator Water Tray Wave
November 2020, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q15 (6 marks): 15* Fig. 15.1 shows how the height of a water wave changes with distance. Height (cm) 4.0 3.0 2.0 1.0 Distance (cm) 0.0 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 –1.0 –2.0 –3.0 –4.0
November 2020, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q13(a) (1 mark): State one difference between sound waves and light waves. [1]
November 2020, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q13(b)(i) (1 mark): Fig. 13.2 shows a free-body force diagram for the cork. Force of water on cork Force of Earth on cork Fig. 13.2 At position A in Fig. 13.1, the cork starts to m
November 2020, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q13(b)(ii) (1 mark): Explain how this experiment shows that the wave travels but not the water. [1]
November 2020, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q13(c)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the period of the sound wave. Period = s [1]
November 2020, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q13(c)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the frequency of the sound wave. Frequency = Hz [3]
November 2020, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q13(d)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the wave speed of sound. Wave speed = m / s [3]
November 2020, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q13(d)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest how this experiment can be improved. [1]
November 2020, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q13(d)(iii) (3 marks): The speed of sound can also be calculated using echoes and a large wall. Explain how. [3]
June 2019, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): A student uses a stopwatch to time water waves. The stopwatch always starts from 0.5 s and does not go back to zero. What is this type of error called? A Hypoth
June 2018, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): A transverse wave and a longitudinal wave travel in the direction shown by the arrow. The table shows how the particles in these waves vibrate as the waves trav
June 2018, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): What is the speed of sound in air? A 30 m / s B 100 m / s C 340 m / s D 300 000 000 m / s Your answer [1]
June 2018, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q16(a) (1 mark): The water wave has a wavelength of 6 m. Describe how the graph shows this. [1]
June 2018, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q16(b) (3 marks): The frequency of the water wave is 0.5 Hz. Calculate the speed of this water wave. Answer = m / s [3]
June 2018, Physics Paper 6 Foundation, Q16(c) (2 marks): A group of students use a ripple tank, a metre ruler and a stopwatch. They draw a diagram of this equipment. Lamp Vibration generator Water Tray Stopwatch Metre
June 2018, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q11(a) (1 mark): The water wave has a wavelength of 6 m. Describe how the graph shows this. [1]
June 2018, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q11(b) (3 marks): The frequency of the water wave is 0.5 Hz. Calculate the speed of this water wave. Answer = m / s [3]
June 2018, Physics Paper 12 Higher, Q11(c) (2 marks): A group of students use a ripple tank, a metre ruler and a stopwatch. They draw a diagram of this equipment. Lamp Vibration generator Water Tray Stopwatch Metre

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