Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
Sound Waves
14 practice questions
Practice questions
1–10 of 14
Question 1
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →What type of wave are sound waves in air (longitudinal or transverse)?
Question 2
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which of the following instruments can be used to see the shape of a sound wave?
- A.Oscilloscope
- B.Thermometer
- C.Barometer
- D.Stopwatch
Question 3
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The speed of sound in air is 340 m/s. Calculate how long it takes a sound wave to travel 170 m. Give your answer in seconds.
Question 4
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A sound wave is displayed on an oscilloscope screen. The time for one complete wave (time period) on the screen is 0.01 s. Calculate the frequency of the sound wave. State the correct unit.
Question 5
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Sound waves cannot travel through a vacuum. Give a reason why.
Question 6
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A microphone is connected to an oscilloscope showing a sound wave. The trace shows a high number of waves close together. What does this tell you about the pitch of the sound, and why?
Question 7
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A drum is struck once to produce a sound in air. The drum's skin vibrates rapidly after being hit.
(a)[1 mark]State whether the sound wave produced by the drum is longitudinal or transverse.
(b)[2 marks]Explain how the sound travels from the drum to a listener's ear.
(c)[1 mark]Describe what would happen to the sound if the drum was played inside a vacuum.
Question 8
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student investigates the speed of sound in air using the echo method. She stands 120 m from a large wall. She claps her hands and starts a stopwatch when she sees the clap, stopping the watch when she hears the first echo. The time recorded is 0.7 seconds.
(a)[1 mark]Calculate the distance travelled by the sound wave from the student to the wall and back.
(b)[3 marks]Calculate the speed of sound in air in this experiment. Give your answer to 2 significant figures. Use the equation:
Question 9
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →You have a signal generator, a loudspeaker, a microphone and an oscilloscope. You want to find the frequency of a sound wave produced by the loudspeaker.
(a)[2 marks]Describe how you would use the oscilloscope to find the frequency of the sound.
(b)[1 mark]You observe that one complete wave on the oscilloscope trace takes 0.004 s. Calculate the frequency of the sound wave.
Question 10
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Sound waves can be reflected and refracted much like light.
(a)[1 mark]Describe what happens when a sound wave meets a flat, hard surface such as a wall.
(b)[2 marks]Explain how ships use echoes to measure the depth of the sea below them.