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Wave properties: WJEC A‑Level Physics questions

Every WJEC A-Level Physics exam question on 2.5 Wave properties, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,173 questions

  1. Q7(a)

    Summer 2025 · Unit 3

    3 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 Unit 3, question 7(a): Read through the following article carefully. Paragraph Are Cepheid variables giant stars or giant musical instruments? Stars called Cepheid variables vary in b

  2. Q4(a)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    3 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 4(a): Describe how a stationary wave is produced in the air column. [3]

  3. Q4(b)(i)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 4(b)(i): Calculate the percentage uncertainty of the mean value for x. [2]

  4. Q4(b)(ii)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 4(b)(ii): Show that the speed of sound, c, can be given by: c = 2 f x [2]

  5. Q4(b)(iii)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    4 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 4(b)(iii): The uncertainty in the frequency is ± 2%. Calculate the speed of sound with its absolute uncertainty. State your answers to a suitable number of significant fig

  6. Q5(a)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 5(a): Explain what is meant by diffraction. [1]

  7. Q5(b)(i)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 5(b)(i): Add to the diagram the next four wavefronts to the right of those shown. [2]

  8. Q5(b)(ii)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 5(b)(ii): Describe the shape of the wavefronts if the gap in the barrier is made less than λ. [1]

  9. Q5(c)(i)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 5(c)(i): State the term used to describe sources that have a constant phase relationship. [1]

  10. Q5(c)(ii)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    4 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 5(c)(ii): The ripple tank is also used to investigate two-source interference. Two spherical dippers attached to the same vibrating block act as in-phase sources and prod

  11. Q5(c)(iii)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 2

    3 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 2, question 5(c)(iii): A technician wants to use light sources in order to demonstrate a two-source interference pattern. He considers the following options: • Red laser light directe

  12. Q4(b)(i)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 4(b)(i): Explain how this stationary wave arises. [2]

  13. Q4(b)(ii)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 4(b)(ii): maximum amplitude. 0.15 m t = 0 X Y Carefully sketch, on the grids below, the wave along XY at times t = 25 ms and t = 50 ms. [2] t = 25 ms X Y t = 50 ms X Y

  14. Q5(a)(i)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 5(a)(i): Explain the role of diffraction in producing the fringe pattern. [2]

  15. Q5(a)(ii)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 5(a)(ii): Calculate a value for the wavelength of the laser light. [2]

  16. Q5(a)(iii)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    3 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 5(a)(iii): Using your answer to (a)(ii) determine the path difference S2P – S1P (see diagram), giving your reasoning. [3]

  17. Q5(b)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 2, question 5(b): Give two reasons why a diffraction grating would be expected to give a more precise value for the wavelength than the two-slit method. [2]

  18. Q3(b)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    6 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 3(b): The progressive wave set-up in part (a) can be modified in order to create a stationary wave pattern. Explain how a stationary wave is formed and describe the s

  19. Q4(a)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    1 mark2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 4(a): Explain what is meant by coherent sources. [1]

  20. Q4(b)(i)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 2

    2 marks2.5 Wave properties
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 2, question 4(b)(i): The distance S1B is 8.0 m and the distance S2B is 7.4 m. State what is meant by the term path difference and hence explain why the wavelength of the sound wave
All 58 questions on Wave properties, as a list
  1. Summer 2025, Unit 3, Q7(a) (3 marks): Read through the following article carefully. Paragraph Are Cepheid variables giant stars or giant musical instruments? Stars called Cepheid variables vary in b
  2. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q4(a) (3 marks): Describe how a stationary wave is produced in the air column. [3]
  3. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage uncertainty of the mean value for x. [2]
  4. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Show that the speed of sound, c, can be given by: c = 2 f x [2]
  5. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(iii) (4 marks): The uncertainty in the frequency is ± 2%. Calculate the speed of sound with its absolute uncertainty. State your answers to a suitable number of significant fig
  6. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q5(a) (1 mark): Explain what is meant by diffraction. [1]
  7. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Add to the diagram the next four wavefronts to the right of those shown. [2]
  8. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Describe the shape of the wavefronts if the gap in the barrier is made less than λ. [1]
  9. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): State the term used to describe sources that have a constant phase relationship. [1]
  10. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q5(c)(ii) (4 marks): The ripple tank is also used to investigate two-source interference. Two spherical dippers attached to the same vibrating block act as in-phase sources and prod
  11. Summer 2025, AS Unit 2, Q5(c)(iii) (3 marks): A technician wants to use light sources in order to demonstrate a two-source interference pattern. He considers the following options: • Red laser light directe
  12. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how this stationary wave arises. [2]
  13. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): maximum amplitude. 0.15 m t = 0 X Y Carefully sketch, on the grids below, the wave along XY at times t = 25 ms and t = 50 ms. [2] t = 25 ms X Y t = 50 ms X Y
  14. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain the role of diffraction in producing the fringe pattern. [2]
  15. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate a value for the wavelength of the laser light. [2]
  16. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(iii) (3 marks): Using your answer to (a)(ii) determine the path difference S2P – S1P (see diagram), giving your reasoning. [3]
  17. Summer 2024, AS Unit 2, Q5(b) (2 marks): Give two reasons why a diffraction grating would be expected to give a more precise value for the wavelength than the two-slit method. [2]
  18. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q3(b) (6 marks): The progressive wave set-up in part (a) can be modified in order to create a stationary wave pattern. Explain how a stationary wave is formed and describe the s
  19. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q4(a) (1 mark): Explain what is meant by coherent sources. [1]
  20. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): The distance S1B is 8.0 m and the distance S2B is 7.4 m. State what is meant by the term path difference and hence explain why the wavelength of the sound wave
  21. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Mobile phone C detects a minimum intensity. Determine two possible values of the distance (S2C – S1C). [2]
  22. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): State the principle of superposition. [2]
  23. Summer 2023, AS Unit 2, Q4(c)(ii) (3 marks): Loudspeaker S2 develops a fault whose only effect is to reduce the amplitude of the sound waves it emits. Explain why the intensities at A and B decrease and th
  24. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q4(a)(i) (3 marks): Calculate a value for the wavelength of light from the laser. [3]
  25. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Each slit is several wavelengths wide. Suggest why the intensity of the bright fringes decreases the further the fringes are from the centre of the pattern. [2]
  26. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q4(a)(iii) (3 marks): A student suggests that replacing the laser with one that emits near infra-red (that is infra-red just beyond the end of the visible spectrum) will increase the
  27. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q4(b) (3 marks): More than 200 years ago Thomas Young drew a conclusion from his ‘fringes’ experiment. It was not generally accepted for several years. State what conclusion You
  28. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): S1 and S2 are now made to vibrate in phase, to act as wave sources of equal amplitude. Carefully sketch, on the lower two grids opposite, displacement-time grap
  29. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(iii) (3 marks): A student suggests that, with S1 and S2 vibrating as before, the displacement at Q (see diagram below) will be zero all the time. VIEW FROM ABOVE λ = 20 mm S1 Q
  30. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the angle to the normal at which third order beams emerge. [2]
  31. Summer 2022, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): The diagram shows light emerging at this angle from two adjacent slits in the grating. Light shone Diagram not normally at drawn to scale grating State the valu
  32. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q4(a) (6 marks): Explain the conditions that are required of the light sources, for a two-source interference pattern to be observed. Include examples of when the requirements w
  33. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(i) (4 marks): Six students measure the distance x, obtaining these results: 6.5 mm 6.3 mm 6.9 mm 6.9 mm 6.7 mm 6.4 mm Calculate the mean value for fringe separation (the sepa
  34. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): The uncertainty in the distance of 1.50 m shown in the diagram is negligible. The separation between the centres of the slits is given by the makers of the doub
  35. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): Determine a value for the wavelength of the laser light from the data. [2]
  36. Summer 2019, AS Unit 2, Q4(c)(ii) (4 marks): The beams from the grating strike the screen as shown opposite. The pattern on the screen may be compared with the pattern of fringes in part (b) (Young’s exper
  37. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): First order beams emerge at angles of 24.9° to the normal (see diagram). Calculate the wavelength of the light. [2]
  38. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain in terms of path difference why the second order beams emerge from the diffraction grating at 57.4° to the normal. You will need to add to the diagram (
  39. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): The width, w, of the gap is 25 mm. What can be deduced about the wavelength of the microwaves? [1]
  40. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): Rhian suggests that making the gap wider will increase the intensity of the microwaves detected. Discuss to what extent she is correct. [2]
  41. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q5(b) (4 marks): In the set-up shown, slits S1 and S2 act as in-phase sources. Rhian detects minima of wave intensity at P and Q, and a single maximum between P and Q. 240mm P 7
  42. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the mean value of x along with its percentage uncertainty. [2]
  43. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q6(a)(ii) (2 marks): Hence calculate the value of vs along with its absolute uncertainty. [2]
  44. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Derive the equation: [2] vs = 4 fx
  45. Summer 2018, AS Unit 2, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): If the inner glass tube is raised considerably further a second distance is found at which a loud note of frequency, f, is heard. This again corresponds to a st
  46. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): State what is meant by a node in a stationary wave, and state how far apart the nodes will be in this stationary wave. [2]
  47. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): State how, if at all, the phase of the oscillations of the particles of the string varies with distance along the string, for a stationary wave. [2]
  48. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain, in terms of interference, how the stationary wave is produced for this stationary wave on the string. [2]
  49. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(iv) (1 mark): Stationary waves may also be observed on the string when the wave source is set to higher frequencies. State one way, apart from having a different frequency, i
  50. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q5(a) (6 marks): Describe in detail how you would determine the wavelength of light from a (low-power) laser, given an opaque plate with two parallel slits. (The distance betwee
  51. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Using a labelled sketch of a relevant triangle (in the space below), explain why, to a very good approximation: 0.0153 sinθ1 = 0.600 in which θ1 is the angle be
  52. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Determine the wavelength of light from the laser. [2]
  53. Summer 2017, AS Unit 2, Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the highest order produced by this grating for this wavelength, and suggest why so many orders are produced by this grating. [2]
  54. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q4(a) (3 marks): normal given by the equation: d sin θ = nλ [3]
  55. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(i) (3 marks): Plot a graph of sin θ (y-axis) against n (x-axis) on the grid provided. [3]
  56. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): Use your graph to determine the wavelength of the light. The separation between the centres of slits in the grating is 1 800 nm. Show your working. [3]
  57. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Referring to the diagram, explain in terms of interference how an antinode is produced. [2]
  58. Summer 2016, AS Unit 2, Q6(a)(ii) (2 marks): From the data, determine whether there is a node or an antinode at point P (on the metal plate). Give your reasoning in terms of wavelength. [2]

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