Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Waves
356 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
81–90 of 181 · Normal
Question 81
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Give the scientific name for the time taken for one complete wave to pass a given point, and state its standard SI unit.
Question 82
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Ocean waves travel at 12 m/s and have a frequency of 0.2 Hz.
Calculate the wavelength of the ocean waves. Give your answer with the correct unit.
Question 83
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The diagram below shows a wavefront striking a flat barrier at an angle.
Wavefronts and barrier with normal (a)[1 mark]Mark and label the angle of incidence on the diagram.
(b)[1 mark]State the law of reflection.
(c)[1 mark]If the angle of incidence is , what is the angle of reflection?
(d)[1 mark]Explain why the reflected wave leaves the barrier at this angle.
Question 84
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Water waves pass from deep to shallow water. Describe what happens to the direction and speed of the waves. Explain briefly.
Question 85
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which statement best describes refraction of light?
- A.Light bounces off a surface at the same angle it strikes.
- B.Light passes through a boundary and bends due to a change in speed.
- C.Light is absorbed and converted to heat.
- D.Light travels without changing direction.
Question 86
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Describe one example, other than light, where refraction occurs, and explain why refraction takes place.
Question 87
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student shining a light ray into water measures the following angles for different boundaries:
Angles measured by the student Boundary Angle of Incidence Angle of Refraction Air-water 40° 28° Water-glass 30° 22° (a)[2 marks]For the air-water boundary, is the light bending towards or away from the normal? Explain.
(b)[2 marks]For the water-glass boundary, which medium is slower for light: water or glass? Justify your answer using the angles.
Question 88
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State two scientific devices that use the refraction of light and briefly describe how refraction is useful in each.
Question 89
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →What is always true when a wave is reflected from a flat barrier?
- A.The wave changes speed when reflected.
- B.The wave is refracted at the barrier.
- C.The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
- D.The wave leaves the surface at right angles.
Question 90
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which statement best describes the Doppler effect?
- A.It is the apparent change in frequency of a wave due to the movement of the source.
- B.It describes the reflection of waves at a boundary.
- C.It is the process of splitting white light into its component colours.
- D.It explains why sound cannot travel through a vacuum.