How do waves behave?: OCR GCSE Combined Science B questions

Every OCR GCSE Combined Science B exam question on P1.3 How do waves behave?, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 86 questions on How do waves behave?, as a list

June 2025, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q3(a) (3 marks): Fig. 3.1 represents a water wave. Fig. 3.1 X Displacement Distance Y Draw lines to connect each description of the water wave with its correct feature. Descript
June 2025, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): When Riley stops the timer, it shows a time of 0.40 seconds. Calculate the speed of sound in air using this result. Use the equation: speed = (2 × distance to w
June 2025, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): This calculated speed is not accurate. The sound produced by the whistle has a frequency of 600 Hz and a wavelength of 0.55 m in air. Calculate an accurate valu
June 2025, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q3(b)(iii) (1 mark): What step should Riley and Sam take to improve the accuracy of their value for the speed of sound in air? Tick (✓) one box. Increase the time between starting a
June 2025, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q3(c) (2 marks): The water waves are transverse waves and the sound waves are longitudinal waves. Describe the difference between transverse waves and longitudinal waves. [2]
June 2025, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q3(a) (2 marks): The image shows the observations from one experiment. 10 cm ruler Wave crest Wave trough Estimate the wavelength of the waves. Wavelength = cm [2]
June 2025, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q3(b) (2 marks): The waves are generated by a vibrating bar. The mean number of waves leaving the vibrating bar in five seconds is 18.3. Calculate the frequency of the waves. Fr
June 2025, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q3(c) (3 marks): The student repeats the experiment with a different depth of water, and obtains new results: Wavelength (cm) 2.5 Frequency (Hz) 4.0 Calculate the speed of these
June 2024, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Which distance is the wavelength of the wave? [1]
June 2024, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which distance is the amplitude of the wave? [1]
June 2024, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q2(b) (2 marks): The speed of some water waves on the ocean is 2.8 m / s. The frequency of the waves is 0.35 Hz. Calculate the wavelength of the waves. Use the equation: wavelen
June 2024, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q3(a) (3 marks): Complete the sentences about the remote control. Use words from the list. absorbed electromagnetic sensor sound source transmitted When a button is pressed, wav
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Which two statements are true for light waves? Tick (✓) two boxes. Light waves are electromagnetic waves. Light waves are longitudinal waves. Light waves are tr
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q3(b)(i) (3 marks): Describe the differences between the waves on the rope and the sound waves in the air. [3]
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): The graph shows how the displacement of the rope changes with the distance along the rope from Alex. 0.10 0.05 Displacement 0.00 (m) 0 1 2 3 –0.05 –0.10 Distanc
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): Two complete waves reach Casey’s hand in one second. What is the frequency and the period of the wave? Frequency = Hz Period = s [2]
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): A student investigates the reflection of light from a plane mirror. These are the steps in the investigation. They are not in the correct order: A Direct the ra
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): It is a sunny day so the student cannot see the rays clearly. Suggest two ways the student could improve the experiment to see the rays more clearly. 1 2 [2]
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Which angles in the diagram are the angles of reflection and refraction? Choose from A, B, C or D. Angle of reflection = Angle of refraction = [2]
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): Measure the angle of refraction on the diagram. Angle of refraction = ° [1]
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q4(c) (3 marks): The speed of the red light is 2.0 × 108 m / s in the glass block. The frequency is 4.7 × 1014 Hz. Calculate the wavelength of the light in the glass block. Use
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q4(d) (3 marks): Complete the sentences to explain what happens to the wavelength of the red light when it enters the glass block from the air. Put a ring around the correct opt
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Which arrow shows the movement of the piece of wood when the ripples on the surface of the water reach it? Put a ring around the correct option. A B C D [1]
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which arrow shows the movement of the seed when the sound waves reach it? Put a ring around the correct option. A B C D [1]
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): The steps of their experiment are listed below, but not in the correct order. A Ali claps two pieces of wood together. B Hiro starts the stopwatch when he sees
June 2024, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): Ali and Hiro repeat the experiment three times for each distance and calculate the speed of sound. The table shows their results: Time Distance Speed (s) (m) (m
June 2023, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q9(a)(i) (2 marks): The graph shows a transverse wave. Label an amplitude with a letter A, and a wavelength with a letter W on the transverse wave. Displacement Distance [2]
June 2023, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q9(a)(ii) (1 mark): What is the frequency of the wave? Tick (3) one box. The change in the wavelength of the waves in one second. The number of waves passing a point in one second.
June 2023, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q9(a)(iii) (3 marks): A water wave has a wavelength of 0.3 cm and a frequency of 100 Hz. Calculate the wave speed of the water wave. Use the equation: wave speed = frequency × wavele
June 2023, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q9(b)(i) (3 marks): Complete the sentences to describe how Eve can use the ripple tank to measure the wavelength of a water wave. Use words from the list. distance mass ruler speed
June 2023, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q9(b)(ii) (1 mark): How can Eve get a stationary image of the waves on the paper? [1]
June 2023, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q9(b)(iii) (1 mark): The wavelength is very small. How can Eve get a more accurate measurement of the wavelength? [1]
June 2023, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q9(b)(iv) (1 mark): How can Eve reduce the uncertainty of her result? Tick (3) one box. Increase the frequency of the vibrating bar. Repeat the experiment 3 times and use the mean
June 2023, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q9(b)(v) (1 mark): Eve wants to investigate circular waves with the ripple tank. Dropping a pebble into the ripple tank does not continually produce circular waves. Suggest how sh
June 2023, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q9(a)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the wavelength of the light. Use the equation: wave speed = frequency × wavelength The speed of light is 3.00 × 108 m / s Give your answer to 3 signif
June 2022, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q1(a) (1 mark): Which of these waves are longitudinal waves? Put a ring around the correct option. Microwaves Ripples on water Sound waves X-rays [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): Which letter A, B, C, or D is the wavelength of the wave? [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q1(c)(ii) (1 mark): Which letter A, B, C, or D is the amplitude of the wave? [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q1(d) (2 marks): A sound wave from a violin has a frequency of 196 Hz and wavelength of 1.75 m in the air. Calculate the speed of the sound wave in air. Use the equation: wave s
June 2022, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(a) (3 marks): This is Alex’s method. The sentences are not in the correct order. A. Repeat the experiment for different angles of incidence. B. Shine a ray of light into the
June 2022, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(b) (2 marks): Suggest two ways in which Alex could improve his method to get more accurate measurements of the angles. 1 2 [2]
June 2022, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(c)(i) (2 marks): Plot the results from the table on the graph. One point has already been plotted. [2]
June 2022, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(c)(ii) (1 mark): Put a ring around the outlier on the graph. [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(c)(iii) (1 mark): Draw a line of best fit. [1] 45 40 35 30 Angle of refraction (°) 25 20 15 10 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Angle of incidence (°)
June 2022, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(c)(iv) (1 mark): Describe the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction for the rectangular glass block in Alex’s investigation. [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q2(a) (3 marks): This is Alex’s method. The sentences are not in the correct order. A. Repeat the experiment for different angles of incidence. B. Shine a ray of light into the
June 2022, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q2(b) (2 marks): Suggest two ways in which Alex could improve his method to get more accurate measurements of the angles. 1 2 [2]
June 2022, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q2(c)(i) (2 marks): Plot the results from the table on the graph. One point has already been plotted. [2]
June 2022, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q2(c)(ii) (1 mark): Put a ring around the outlier on the graph. [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q2(c)(iii) (1 mark): Draw a line of best fit. [1] 45 40 35 30 Angle of refraction (°) 25 20 15 10 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Angle of incidence (°)
June 2022, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q2(c)(iv) (1 mark): Describe the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction for the rectangular glass block in Alex’s investigation. [1]
June 2022, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q3(a) (2 marks): Which two statements about the water wave are correct? Tick (3) two boxes. The amplitude of the wave is X. The wavelength of the wave is Y. The wave travels but
June 2022, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q3(b) (2 marks): Mia is looking at a fish in a pond. The light waves from the fish are refracted as shown in Fig. 3.2. Air Water Fish Fig. 3.2 Explain why the light waves from t
November 2021, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Which statements about waves are true and which are false? Tick (✓) one box in each row. True False All electromagnetic waves are transverse. Light is an electr
November 2021, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Fig. 1.1 shows a transverse wave. y Crest Fig. 1.1 Complete each sentence about the transverse wave in Fig. 1.1. Use the words. You can use each word once, more
November 2021, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): Sundip writes a series of steps for her investigation. They are not in the correct order. A Measure the angle of the incident ray. B Measure the angle of the re
November 2021, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): The table shows Sundip’s results. Angle of Angle of incidence reflection (°) (°) 20 21 30 29 40 40 50 51 60 55 70 69 Sundip thinks one of her results is an outl
November 2021, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): Complete the sentence to make Sundip’s conclusion correct. Put a ring around the correct answer. The angle of the incident ray is approximately equal to / great
November 2021, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q1(c) (2 marks): Fig. 1.2 shows a pencil in a glass of water. Fig. 1.2 Complete each sentence about why the pencil looks broken in Fig. 1.2. Use the words. You can use each word
November 2021, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q5(c) (3 marks): The water waves in the sea are moving at 3.2 m/s and 10 waves pass a stationary boat in 16 s. Calculate the wavelength of the water waves. Use the equation: wav
November 2020, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q1(b) (2 marks): A sound wave travelling through a copper wire has a wavelength of 15 m and a frequency of 248 Hz. Calculate the wave speed of the sound wave through the copper
November 2020, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q4(a) (2 marks): Complete the sentences to describe each type of wave. Waves on a rope are an example of waves. Sound waves in air are an example of waves. [2]
November 2020, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q4(b) (2 marks): Mia and Eve are discussing waves on the surface of a lake. Mia Eve The waves show that The water moves up the water travels and down, but it doesn’t across the
November 2020, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q4(c)(i) (3 marks): Describe how to take accurate measurements of the time taken and distance travelled, for the sound waves. Include in your answer how the sound is produced, and
November 2020, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): How can they calculate the speed of sound waves in air from their measurements? [1]
November 2020, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): The image of the plane water waves does not show up very clearly on the paper. Suggest how you could improve the quality of the image on the white paper (screen
November 2020, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q5(a)(ii) (3 marks): Describe how to use the ripple tank to accurately measure the wavelength of a plane water wave. [3]
November 2020, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q5(a)(iii) (2 marks): Alex wants to find out if the temperature of the water affects the wavelength of the plane water waves in the ripple tank. Suggest how he could change the exper
November 2020, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the frequency of the plane water waves. Frequency = Hz [2]
November 2020, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): Alex measures the wavelength of a plane water wave to be 2.4 cm. Calculate the speed of the plane water waves. Use your answer to (b)(i). Use the equation: wave
June 2019, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q1(a) (1 mark): Describe what happens to the sound wave to make an echo. Put a ring around the correct answer. absorbed amplified radiated reflected refracted [1]
June 2019, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q1(b) (2 marks): Which two statements about sound waves are correct? Tick (3) two boxes. A sound wave is a transverse wave. A wave transfers energy from one place to another. In
June 2019, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q9(a) (3 marks): Describe the wave motion of the rope, using the words amplitude, wavelength and frequency. Use information from the diagram in your answer. [3]
June 2019, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q9(d) (3 marks): Kai uses a different rope. He makes waves with a wavelength of 1.5 m and frequency of 2.2 Hz. Calculate the wave speed in the rope. Wave speed = m/s [3]
June 2019, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q5(a) (1 mark): Define frequency. [1]
June 2019, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q5(b)(i) (4 marks): The ultrasound waves travel at a speed of 1540 m/s through the head. Calculate the wavelength of the waves. Use the equation: wave speed = frequency × wavelengt
June 2019, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Use the trace to determine the time delay between the two reflections arriving back at the probe. Time delay = µs [2]
June 2019, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q5(b)(iii) (5 marks): Calculate the size of the baby’s head. Size of baby’s head = m [5]
June 2019, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q8(a) (2 marks): Explain what happens to the light that causes it to be refracted when it enters and leaves a glass prism. [2]
June 2019, Physics Paper 7 Higher, Q8(b) (2 marks): The spectrum is from violet to red. Which two statements are correct? Tick two boxes. Red light has the greatest energy. Red light has the lowest frequency. Red
June 2018, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): Sound is a longitudinal wave. Describe the difference between a longitudinal wave and a transverse wave. You may draw labelled diagrams to help you describe the
June 2018, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): Put a ring around the correct word to complete the following sentence: An echo is heard when sound waves are absorbed / amplified / reflected / refracted. [1]
June 2018, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): The speed of sound in iron is 18 000 kilometres per hour (km / h). Calculate the speed of sound in iron in metres per second (m / s). Speed of sound = m / s [2]
June 2018, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): A boat uses the echo of sound waves from the sea-bed to measure the depth of the sea. sound wave echo depth A sound wave is sent towards the sea-bed. The echo r
June 2018, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q5(b)(iii) (1 mark): What is the depth of the sea? Depth of sea = m [1]
June 2018, Physics Paper 3 Foundation, Q5(c) (4 marks): Sound waves with a frequency of 20 kHz are called ultrasound. They are used to produce images of inside the body. Calculate the wavelength of these ultrasound w

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