Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
What are waves?
16 practice questions
Practice questions
1–8 of 8 · Normal
Question 1
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student throws a pebble into a still pond and observes waves spreading out from the point where the pebble lands.
(a)[1 mark]State what is transferred by the water waves across the pond.
(b)[2 marks]Describe what happens to the water itself as the waves move outward from the point of impact. Do the water particles move from the centre to the edge of the pond?
(c)[1 mark]Give one example, other than water waves, where waves are used to transfer information.
Question 2
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which of the following best describes how waves transfer energy?
- A.By carrying matter from one place to another
- B.By transferring matter and energy together
- C.By vibrations or oscillations that transfer energy without overall movement of matter
- D.By creating a flow of particles in the direction of the wave
Question 3
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Sound from a loudspeaker is heard on the other side of a room. Explain, in terms of energy and matter, what happens as the sound travels from the loudspeaker to the listener.
Question 4
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A diagram below shows water waves moving from the centre outward after a small object is dropped into a pond.
Circular wavefronts after an object drops in; the object remains at the centre. Describe what the diagram shows about how energy is transferred but not matter.
Question 5
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A mobile phone sends a text message using electromagnetic waves.
(a)[1 mark]What do electromagnetic waves transfer from the phone to a nearby mast?
(b)[1 mark]Do the air molecules between the phone and mast travel the distance, yes or no?
(c)[1 mark]Explain your answer to part (b).
Question 6
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain how it is possible to listen to a concert live in a stadium but not be physically touched by the sound waves, even though energy is transferred from the speakers to your ears.
Question 7
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State two things that waves can transfer.
Question 8
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →In a demonstration, a row of dominoes are stood on end in a line. The first domino is knocked over and the fall continues in a wave down the line. A student says this is just like a water wave. Discuss whether this is a correct analogy for how waves transfer energy.