Wave behaviour: OCR GCSE Physics A questions

Every OCR GCSE Physics A exam question on P5.1 Wave behaviour, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 111 questions on Wave behaviour, as a list

June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): A sound wave travels from air to water. The speed of the sound wave is directly proportional to its wavelength. The wavelength of the sound wave in air is 80 cm
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(a) (4 marks): When the rock hits the water, it makes a sound. At the same time ripples form on the surface of the water. The sound and the ripples are different types of wave
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the rock dropped from a greater height produces ripples with a larger amplitude. [2]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b)(ii) (3 marks): Describe how the student uses a metre ruler and a stop clock to determine the speed of the ripples. [3]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): A sound wave travels from air to water. The speed of the sound wave is directly proportional to its wavelength. The wavelength of the sound wave in air is 80 cm
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): A ball is floating on the surface of some water. Waves are created on the surface of the water as shown. Ball Direction of waves Which arrow shows the direction
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(a) (4 marks): When the rock hits the water, it makes a sound. At the same time ripples form on the surface of the water. The sound and the ripples are different types of wave
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the rock dropped from a greater height produces ripples with a larger amplitude. [2]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(ii) (3 marks): Describe how the student uses a metre ruler and a stop clock to determine the speed of the ripples. [3]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(a) (3 marks): Calculate the thickness of the fat tissue. Use the Equation Sheet. Thickness of fat tissue = m [3]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(b) (4 marks): The wavelength of the ultrasound wave in the fat tissue is 4.3 × 10–4 m. Calculate the frequency of the ultrasound wave. Use the equation: wave speed = frequenc
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(c) (2 marks): When the ultrasound wave hits the boundary between the fat tissue and the denser muscle tissue, the ultrasound wave is partially reflected and partially transmi
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a)(i) (1 mark): Which type of wave is a sound wave? Put a ring around the correct answer. electromagnetic longitudinal radio transverse [1]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a)(ii) (1 mark): Fig. 16.2 shows four diagrams of the air particles after the sound wave has passed. Which diagram is correct? Tick (✓) one box. Fig. 16.2 [1]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b) (2 marks): Complete the sentences to describe what happens to the properties of a sound wave as it travels from air into water. Use words from the list. decreases increase
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(c): The lists show two groups of words about waves: a start of a sentence and an end of a sentence. Draw one line from each start of the sentence to the matching en
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(d)(i) (1 mark): Sometimes more than one echo is received by the ship from each ultrasound pulse. Suggest why. [1]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(d)(ii) (3 marks): An ultrasound pulse takes 0.60 s to travel to the seabed and back to the ship. The speed of ultrasound in sea water is 1500 m / s. Calculate the distance from t
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(e) (3 marks): A sound wave has a frequency of 500 Hz. The speed of sound in air is 330 m / s. Calculate the wavelength of the sound wave. Use the equation: wave speed = frequ
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): What causes the hearing range of humans to decrease as they age? A Lower frequencies cannot be heard. B The eardrum vibrates more quickly. C The pinna gets smal
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): The diagram shows a patient having an ultrasound scan. Bone Gel Receiver and emitter Soft tissue The speed of ultrasound in soft tissue is 1500 m / s. The echo
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(f)(ii) (2 marks): Water waves are also transverse waves. A scientist standing near the sea observes water waves moving past them. Explain how the scientist can measure the freque
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): An oscilloscope is used to display a wave. How many complete waves are shown on the oscilloscope screen? A 2 B 4 C 5 D 10 [1] Your answer
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q14 (1 mark): A sound wave travels from air into water. Which quantity stays the same? A Amplitude B Frequency C Speed D Wavelength [1] Your answer
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): Ultrasound pulses can be used to measure the depth of the seabed. Ship Sea level Ultrasound pulse Sea water Seabed The speed of ultrasound in sea water is 1500
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q22(b) (4 marks): The wavelength of red light in glass is 4.33 × 10–7 m. The speed of red light in glass is 2.0 × 108 m / s. Calculate the frequency of the red light in glass. Us
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): A sound wave travels from air into water. Which quantity stays the same? A Amplitude B Frequency C Speed D Wavelength Your answer [1]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): Ultrasound pulses can be used to measure the depth of the seabed. Ship Sea level Ultrasound pulse Sea water Seabed The speed of ultrasound in sea water is 1500
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): An oscilloscope is used to display a wave. The diagram shows the screen of the oscilloscope. 1 cm 1 cm The horizontal scale is 5 ms / cm. What is the time perio
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): Which diagram shows the parts of the ear with the correct labels? A Pinna Nerve Cochlea Ear canal Eardrum B Eardrum Ear canal Pinna Cochlea Nerve C Pinna Ear ca
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): Which sentence about P seismic waves is correct? A P waves are slower than S waves. B P waves are transverse. C P waves can travel through solids and liquids. D
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b) (4 marks): The wavelength of red light in glass is 4.33 × 10–7 m. The speed of red light in glass is 2.0 × 108 m / s. Calculate the frequency of the red light in glass. Us
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): The diagram shows waves that are made in a pool of water. 200 cm 80 cm What is the amplitude of the waves? A 60 cm B 80 cm C 120 cm D 200 cm Your answer [1] SEC
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(d)(i) (2 marks): A sailor uses the periscope to observe some water waves. Six complete waves pass the periscope in one minute. Calculate the time period for one wave in seconds.
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(d)(ii) (3 marks): A different water wave has a frequency of 0.2 Hz. The wavelength of the wave is 20 m. Calculate the speed of the wave. Use the Data Sheet. Speed of the wave = m
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(a) (1 mark): The speed of light in air is 3 × 108 m / s. Explain why the child sees the firework before they hear it. [1]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b) (2 marks): Complete each sentence below about sound travelling through air. Use the words from the list. electromagnetic longitudinal parallel perpendicular transverse Sou
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(c) (4 marks): The child measures the time between seeing and hearing the firework. The time they measure is 0.42 s. The speed of sound in air is 330 m / s. Calculate the dist
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(d) (2 marks): Explain why the distance calculated in (c) is not the actual distance. [2]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): The diagram shows waves that are made in a pool of water. 200 cm 80 cm What is the amplitude of the waves? A 60 cm B 80 cm C 120 cm D 200 cm Your answer [1]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): The diagram shows a cross-section of the Earth. X Crust Mantle Inner Core Outer Core Y An earthquake takes place at point X. Which type(s) of seismic waves woul
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why they hear the second clap and why the second clap is quieter. [2]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(a)(ii) (4 marks): The student measures the time between the first clap and the second clap. The time taken is 1.40 s. The speed of sound in air is 330 m / s. Calculate the distan
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(a)(iii) (2 marks): The student measures the time between the first and second clap with a stopwatch. Suggest two reasons why the distance calculated in (a)(ii) is not accurate. 1
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(a)(iv) (1 mark): Suggest how the experiment could be improved. [1]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe how the sound travels from the student’s hand to their ear. [2]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how the sound travels through the ear. [2]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(c) (2 marks): The student makes two different sounds, sound A and sound B. Frequency (Hz) Sound A 600 Sound B 1200 Explain how the wavelength of sound A is different to the w
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): Water waves are made in a ripple tank. A student counts 4 waves passing a point per second. What has the student worked out? A Amplitude B Frequency C Period D
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): A student makes a wave in a ripple tank. The student measures distance, L. L = 24 cm What is the wavelength of the wave? A 2.4 cm B 4.0 cm C 4.8 cm D 24 cm Your
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(a) (3 marks): The frequency of the sound wave is 440 Hz. The speed of sound is 330 m / s. Calculate the wavelength of the sound wave. Use the equation: wave speed = frequency
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(b) (2 marks): Explain how sound travels through the air from the guitar. Write about air particles in your answer. [2]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q18(c) (2 marks): Fig. 18.1 is a graph of a sound wave. Displacement 2 (mm) 1 Distance (cm) 0 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 – 1 – 2 Fig. 18.1 Another sound wave has a higher fre
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(a) (2 marks): They record the time displayed on the timer in a table: Measurement Time (ms) 1 6.7 2 6.3 3 6.7 4 6.6 Calculate the mean time. Give your answer to 2 significant
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b) (1 mark): They do not place the hammer and plate between the two microphones. Suggest one reason why. [1]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(c)(i) (4 marks): Calculate the speed of sound. Use the equation: distance travelled = speed × time Speed of sound = m / s [4]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(c)(ii) (1 mark): Describe how the student can measure the distance between the microphones. [1]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(c)(iii) (1 mark): The student looks up the speed of sound on a reliable website. They find the value for the speed of sound is 330 m / s. Suggest why this is different from your
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): A student makes a wave in a ripple tank. The student measures distance, L. L = 24 cm What is the wavelength of the wave? A 2.4 cm B 4.0 cm C 4.8 cm D 24 cm Your
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): A cork floats on water. Ripples move across the surface of the water. Cork Direction of movement of ripples Which statement describes the motion of the cork? A
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): Look at the diagram of a wave. 4 3 2 1 Displacement 0 (cm) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Distance (cm) – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 What is the wavelength of the wave? A 2 cm B 3 cm C 4
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): Four students measure the time it takes a wave to travel the length of a ripple tank. Each student collects three measurements of the time. Time taken (s) Stude
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(a)(i) (1 mark): State the type of wave modelled by the ripples. [1]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(a)(ii) (1 mark): Describe how the water molecules move as the wave travels across the pond. [1]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(a)(iii) (2 marks): 10 ripples hit the side of the pond in 20 seconds. Calculate the frequency of the ripples. Frequency = Hz [2]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b)(i) (2 marks): Student A measures the frequency and wavelength of the water ripples. Table 17.1 shows his results: Frequency (Hz) of ripples 0.6 Wavelength (m) of ripples 0.1
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b)(ii) (2 marks): Student B measures the same ripples as student A. She measures: • The distance one ripple travels. • The time it takes the ripple to travel this distance. Table
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b)(iii) (3 marks): Use results in Table 17.2 to calculate the wave speed of the ripples. Wave speed = m / s [3]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b)(iv) (1 mark): Student A and student B obtained different answers for the wave speed of the ripples. Suggest why. [1]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): Four students measure the time it takes for a wave to travel the length of a ripple tank. Each student collects three measurements of the time. Time taken (s) S
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): The maximum frequency of sound that a person can hear changes as they get older. Which row in the table explains this change? Maximum frequency of sound a What
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): Six wave peaks hit a wall in one minute. Determine the frequency of the waves. A 0.1 Hz B 6 Hz C 10 Hz D 360 Hz Your answer [1]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(a) (2 marks): Ultrasound waves have a higher frequency than ripples on the surface of water. Describe another difference between ultrasound waves and ripples on the surface o
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(b)(i) (1 mark): Use the graph in Fig. 19.1 to determine the wavelength of the ultrasound wave. Wavelength = m [1]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(b)(ii) (4 marks): The speed of ultrasound waves in (b)(i) is 4500 m / s. Calculate the frequency of the ultrasound wave in Fig. 19.1. Use the equation: wave speed = frequency × w
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(c) (2 marks): Doctors can use an ultrasound scan to measure the size of a person’s kidney. Skin Ultrasound scanner w Kidney (inside the body) Fig. 19.2 Complete the sentences
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(d)(ii) (2 marks): Fig. 19.2 shows the thickness of the kidney, w. Explain how ultrasound waves are used to measure w. [2]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(e) (1 mark): A doctor uses an ultrasound scan instead of X-rays to measure the kidneys. Explain why. [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): A teacher measures the speed of water waves in a ripple tank. What apparatus should she use? A Ammeter and stopwatch B Newton-meter and ruler C Ruler and protra
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q14 (1 mark): A sound wave travels in air and enters water. What happens to the sound wave as it enters the water? Speed Frequency Wavelength A decreases decreases decreases
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(a)(i) (1 mark): Use the graph in Fig. 20.1 to work out the time period of the wave. Time period of the wave = s [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(a)(ii) (1 mark): Use the graph in Fig. 20.1 to work out the amplitude of the wave. Amplitude = cm [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(a)(iii) (1 mark): The frequency of the wave in Fig. 20.1 is 0.5 Hz. What is meant by the term frequency? [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(b) (3 marks): A water wave has a frequency of 0.25 Hz and a wavelength of 6.0 m. Calculate the speed of the wave. Speed of the wave = m / s [3]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(c)(i) (1 mark): Draw two arrows on the diagram in Fig. 20.2 to show the movement of the student’s hand when he makes a transverse wave. [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(c)(ii) (1 mark): Describe what happens to the transverse wave at the wall. [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q20(c)(iii) (1 mark): In Fig. 20.3 the student stops moving his hand. This is what the coils in the spring look like after a short time: wall Fig. 20.3 This model of a water wave sho
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): A sound wave travels in air and enters water. What happens to the sound wave as it enters the water? Speed Frequency Wavelength A decreases decreases decreases
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): The table contains descriptions of wavelength and frequency. Which row in the table is correct? Wavelength Frequency Distance between a peak and its Number of w
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q22 (6 marks): 22* The Earth contains a crust, mantle and core as shown in Fig. 22.1. Inner core Outer core Mantle Crust Fig. 22.1 Table 22.1 gives some data about seismic wav
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q24(a)(i) (1 mark): The student did not pay attention when recording time 3. Calculate the mean time taken for the sound of the clap to return, using suitable values from the table
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q24(a)(ii) (4 marks): Calculate the speed of sound for the clap. Use your answer to (a)(i) and the equation: distance travelled = speed × time Give your answer to 3 significant figur
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q24(a)(iii) (2 marks): Describe two ways to improve and develop their method. 1 2 [2]
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q24(b) (3 marks): Ultrasound wave pulses are used by vets to scan inner tissues inside animals. The ultrasound pulses partially reflect from different layers of tissue. These ref
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): A student measures the time it takes for the sound from a firework to reach the observer. She takes 3 measurements of the time taken for four different distance
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): A radio wave has a wavelength of 100 m. It has a speed of 3 × 108 m/s. Use the equation: Wave speed = Frequency × Wavelength Calculate the frequency of the wave
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a)(i) (1 mark): What is the wavelength of this wave? Answer = cm [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a)(ii) (1 mark): What is the amplitude of this wave? Answer = cm [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a)(iii) (2 marks): The wavelength of the wave is changed to 25 cm. Two waves are produced each second. Use the equation: Wave speed = Frequency × Wavelength Calculate the speed of
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(i) (1 mark): Describe how water particles move in a transverse water wave. [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): Describe how air particles move in a longitudinal sound wave. [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(a) (2 marks): Describe which measurements he needs to measure this speed. [2]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(b) (1 mark): Which equation is used to calculate speed? [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q19(c) (1 mark): Describe one way he could get valid results for this experiment. [1]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): A student measures the time it takes for the sound from a firework to reach the observer. She takes 3 measurements of the time taken for four different distance
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the number of water waves produced in 5 seconds. Answer = [1]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(a)(ii) (2 marks): The teacher increases the frequency of the water waves. Describe what happens to the speed and the wavelength of the water waves. [2]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(a)(iii) (2 marks): A student tries to describe water waves in the sea. ‘The water waves move up and down. The water particles move all the way across the surface of the sea. This
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(b) (5 marks): A student watches a ball game on the school field. The student sees the ball being hit with a bat but he hears the sound a short time after. This is because the
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q17(c) (3 marks): Look at the diagram of a human ear. (Ossicles bones) Anvil Hammer Stirrup Pinna Auditory nerve Cochlea, with small hairs (cilia) inside Auditory canal Eardrum (
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(d) (6 marks): Look at the table showing information about the electromagnetic spectrum. Visible Radio Micro-wave Infra-red Ultra-violet X-rays Gamma-rays light 3 MHz 30 GHz 3

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