Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
Describing waves
17 practice questions
Practice questions
1–10 of 17
Question 1
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State the unit in which the frequency of a wave is measured.
Question 2
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State what is meant by the amplitude of a wave.
Question 3
1 mark · Easy
Answer and check →Which of the following is the usual symbol for wavelength in physics?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
Question 4
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A water wave has a wavelength of 0.8 m. It completes 6 waves every second.
(a)[1 mark]State the frequency of the wave.
(b)[1 mark]How many wavelengths pass a fixed point in 2 seconds?
Question 5
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →The diagram below shows a transverse wave on a rope.
Wave diagram (a)[1 mark]Name the points labelled B and D.
(b)[1 mark]Name the points labelled A, C, and E.
Question 6
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →State whether sound waves in air are transverse or longitudinal.
Question 7
2 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A teacher produces waves on a stretched spring. The frequency is 2 Hz and the time period is 0.5 seconds.
(a)[1 mark]State the equation that links frequency and time period.
(b)[1 mark]Show, using the values above, that the relationship between frequency and time period is correct.
Question 8
1 mark · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Explain how you can tell whether a wave is transverse or longitudinal by observing the movement of particles in the medium.
Question 9
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which statement correctly describes the motion of a particle in a transverse wave?
- A.It vibrates at right angles to the direction the wave is travelling.
- B.It vibrates along the same direction as the wave is travelling.
- C.It moves in circles as the wave passes.
- D.It stays motionless while the wave passes.
Question 10
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student is investigating waves along a stretched rope. She creates 12 complete waves in 3 seconds.
(a)[1 mark]Calculate the frequency of the waves.
(b)[1 mark]State the unit for frequency.
(c)[1 mark]Explain what is meant by the ‘frequency’ of a wave.