Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Unit
Waves
356 practice questions
Topics covered
Practice questions
351–356 of 356
Question 351
5 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student is investigating water waves in a ripple tank and also observes how radio waves can transmit signals.
(a)[2 marks]Describe how energy is transferred by waves in the ripple tank. State whether matter is transferred.
(b)[2 marks]Radio and water waves are types of waves. State one similarity and one difference between these two types of waves.
(c)[1 mark]Radio waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Name one use of radio waves, and explain why they are suitable for this use.
Question 352
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A ray of light passes from air into a rectangular glass block at an angle of 38°. Inside the block, the angle of refraction is 24°.
(a)[2 marks]Calculate the refractive index of the glass to 2 decimal places.
(b)[2 marks]Explain what happens to the direction of the light as it enters and leaves the glass block.
Question 353
5 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A student investigates different types of waves in a science laboratory. She uses a slinky to create waves. She also looks at an electromagnetic spectrum chart displayed in the lab.
(a)[2 marks]State the difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave. Give one example of each type from the student’s investigation or from the electromagnetic spectrum.
(b)[1 mark]Identify one quantity and its unit that the student would measure when describing any wave in the lab.
(c)[2 marks]Describe what is meant by a wavefront, using the slinky or water surface as examples.
Question 354
6 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A sound wave travels through the air and reaches a wall, where it is reflected. The speed of sound in air is 340 m/s.
(a)[2 marks]Draw a labelled diagram to show the reflection of the sound wave from the wall. Label the incident wave, reflected wave, the wall, normal, and angles of incidence and reflection.
(b)[2 marks]If the wavelength of the sound is 0.85 m, calculate the frequency of the wave.
(c)[2 marks]Describe what would happen if the sound wave moved from warm air into cooler air.
Question 355
5 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →White light is passed through a glass prism in a laboratory experiment. The student notices the formation of a rainbow-like spectrum on the screen beyond the prism.
(a)[2 marks]Explain why the prism produces a spectrum of colours from white light.
(b)[1 mark]Put the following colours in order from longest to shortest wavelength: green, red, violet, yellow.
(c)[2 marks]State whether red or violet light is refracted most by the prism and explain your answer.
Question 356
5 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →A ray of light enters a rectangular block of glass from the air at an angle of incidence of 45°. The refractive index of the glass is 1.5.
(a)[2 marks]Calculate the angle of refraction (to 2 decimal places).
(b)[3 marks]If the critical angle for this glass is 42°, explain what will happen to a ray inside the glass that strikes the glass–air boundary at 40°, then at 45°.