Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Waves
356 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
331–340 of 356
Question 331
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.
Question 332
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A table shows the results from five measurements of the speed of sound using the echo method.
Echo timing results Attempt Distance to wall (m) Time for echo (s) 1 100 0.60 2 100 0.59 3 100 0.62 4 100 0.61 5 100 0.58 (a)[1 mark]Explain why the experiment was repeated several times and an average taken.
(b)[1 mark]Calculate the average time for the echo.
(c)[2 marks]Calculate the average speed of sound from the average time, using:
where the sound travels from the student to the wall and back.
Question 333
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which statement about sound waves is correct?
- A.Sound waves in air are transverse waves.
- B.Sound waves cannot be reflected.
- C.Sound waves travel faster in solids than in air.
- D.Sound waves can travel through vacuum.
Question 334
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Two musical instruments, a violin and a cello, each produce a note and their sounds are shown as oscilloscope traces.
(a)[2 marks]Describe how you can tell from the trace which instrument produces the higher-pitched note.
(b)[2 marks]Explain what happens to the loudness of the sound if the amplitude of the wave on the oscilloscope is increased.
Question 335
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A sound wave travels from a warm region into a cooler region of air.
(a)[1 mark]Name the process that happens to the sound wave as it passes into the cooler region.
(b)[2 marks]Explain, with reference to the speed of sound, why the direction of the wave changes.
(c)[1 mark]Describe one real-life example where this process makes sounds easier to hear over long distances.
Question 336
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Light and sound are both types of waves used for communication in different ways.
(a)[2 marks]State whether light and sound waves are transverse or longitudinal. Give one example of how each is used in daily life.
(b)[2 marks]Sound is reflected off a flat wall and returns to a listener as an echo. Light is reflected from a mirror.
Question 337
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A student uses a ray box and a rectangular glass block to investigate how light travels through glass and how sound travels through air.
(a)[2 marks]Draw and label a simple ray diagram to show the path of a ray of light entering and leaving a rectangular glass block. Mark the normal, angle of incidence and angle of refraction.
(b)[2 marks]The student claps blocks of wood at a known distance from a wall. The time between clapping and hearing the echo is measured as 2.0 s, and the distance to the wall is 170 m. Calculate the speed of sound in air.
Question 338
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →Optical fibres use total internal reflection to transmit light signals, and sound waves can also be used in medicine.
(a)[2 marks]Explain how total internal reflection allows light to travel through an optical fibre without escaping.
(b)[2 marks]Doctors use optical fibres in endoscopes to see inside the body. State one reason why this is better than traditional surgery. Give one way sound is used in medicine.
Question 339
4 marks · Easy
Answer and see the solution →A student studies wave properties using a sound wave and a light wave.
(a)[2 marks]The student sets up a sound wave with a frequency of 100 Hz and speed 340 m/s. Calculate its wavelength.
(b)[2 marks]On an oscilloscope, the student sees two traces: - Trace A has high frequency and large amplitude. - Trace B has low frequency and small amplitude. Explain the difference in pitch and loudness between the two traces.
Question 340
6 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student investigates the path of a ray of light using a rectangular glass block and an oscilloscope.
(a)[2 marks]Draw a ray diagram to show the path of a ray of light entering a rectangular glass block from air at an angle. Show the angles of incidence and refraction.
(b)[2 marks]The angle of incidence is measured as 45° and the angle of refraction is 28°. Calculate the refractive index of the glass.
(c)[2 marks]Describe how the speed of sound in air can be measured in a school lab, using the reflection of sound. Name the piece of equipment you could use to display a sound wave.