Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
What are waves?
17 practice questions
Practice questions
1–9 of 9 · Normal
Question 1
1 mark · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State the unit used to measure the frequency of a wave.
Question 2
1 mark · Normal
Answer and see the solution →What does a wave transfer from one place to another without transferring matter?
Question 3
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A ripple tank is used to study waves on water. A student produces ripples 0.03 m apart at a frequency of 10 Hz.
(a)[1 mark]State the unit for the frequency used in this question.
(b)[3 marks]Calculate the speed of these water waves. Show your working and give your answer with its correct unit.
Question 4
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain why dropping a stone in a pond creates ripples that spread outwards but the water itself does not move away from the centre.
Question 5
1 mark · Normal
Answer and see the solution →What does a frequency of 50 Hz mean in terms of the number of wave cycles produced each second?
Question 6
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student strikes one end of a long metal bar, producing waves that travel along the bar. The distance from the impact point to the other end is 12 m. The waves travel at 600 m/s.
(a)[2 marks]Calculate the time taken for the wave to reach the far end of the bar.
(b)[1 mark]State the unit for your answer in part (a).
Question 7
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A loudspeaker produces sound waves that pass through the air. Explain, using scientific ideas, why the air itself does not move from the loudspeaker to your ear.
Question 8
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student notices that a wave pulse on a rope travels 4 m in 2 s. She then produces another pulse, which covers 10 m in 5 s.
(a)[2 marks]Calculate the speed of the wave in the first observation.
(b)[1 mark]Calculate the speed of the wave in the second observation.
(c)[1 mark]Suggest one possible reason for any difference in wave speed between the two observations.
Question 9
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which of these is the correct SI unit for frequency?
- A.degree (°)
- B.hertz (Hz)
- C.metre (m)
- D.second (s)