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Edexcel GCSE Combined Science

Topic questions Waves Sound waves

Sound waves

9 questions · 91 marks · about 2 hours

Sound waves questions

TopicSound waves

Edexcel 1SC0 Sound waves 9 questions

Paper 5: Physics 1 June 2025 Foundation tier, Question 6 13 marks

(a)

Figure 12 is a diagram of part of a water wave.

Figure for question 6
(a)(i)

Use data from Figure 12 to determine the amplitude of the wave.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Use data from Figure 12 to determine the wavelength of the wave.

wavelength =........

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

The water wave shown in Figure 12 is generated in a large tank.

A student observes the wave.

Describe how the student could determine the wave speed of the wave.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)(iii)
(b)

When an earthquake happens, waves are transmitted through the Earth. Figure 13 is a diagram of a part of the Earth’s crust.

Earth’s surface

Question 6, shown as an image
Question 6, shown as an image
Figure for question 6

An earthquake happens at point X, 20 km below the Earth’s surface.

An earthquake wave from X is detected at point L.

This earthquake wave is a transverse wave.

(b)(i)

State one other example of a transverse wave.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

A point in the crust is labelled R in Figure 13. There is a rock at point R.

Describe the effect that this earthquake wave has on the rock at R as the wave passes through the rock.

You may add to Figure 13 to help your answer.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(ii)
(c)

*(c) A scientist investigates a sample of an unknown radioactive material.

The scientist finds that the sample does not emit beta radiation.

The scientist sets up the experiment shown in Figure 14 and uses different absorbers to investigate alpha and gamma radiation.

Question 6, shown as an image
Figure for question 6

The results are shown in Figure 15.

The count rates are rounded to two significant figures.

The background radiation was 18 counts per minute (cpm).

Figure for question 6

Discuss whether the sample emits alpha or gamma radiation or both.

Your answer should refer to

• the data shown in Figure 15

• how the data gives evidence for particular radiations.

[6]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)

Paper 5: Physics 1 June 2025 Higher tier, Question 2 9 marks

(a)

Figure 4 is a diagram of part of a water wave.

Figure for question 2
(a)(i)

Use data from Figure 4 to determine the amplitude of the wave.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Use data from Figure 4 to determine the wavelength of the wave.

wavelength =........

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

The water wave shown in Figure 4 is generated in a large tank.

A student observes the wave.

Describe how the student could determine the wave speed of the wave.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(iii)
(b)

When an earthquake happens, waves are transmitted through the Earth. Figure 5 is a diagram of a part of the Earth’s crust.

Earth’s surface

Question 2, shown as an image
Question 2, shown as an image
Figure for question 2

An earthquake happens at point X, 20 km below the Earth’s surface.

An earthquake wave from X is detected at point L.

This earthquake wave is a transverse wave.

(b)(i)

State one other example of a transverse wave.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

A point in the crust is labelled R in Figure 5. There is a rock at point R.

Describe the effect that this earthquake wave has on the rock at R as the wave passes through the rock.

You may add to Figure 5 to help your answer.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)(ii)
(b)(iii)

The wave from X reaches L 3.8 seconds after it passes through R.

The speed of the wave is 4500 m / s.

Calculate the distance between X and R.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)(iii)

Paper 5: Physics 1 June 2024 Foundation tier, Question 3 10 marks

(a)

A sound wave can transfer information across a room.

Which row of the table shows what else a sound wave can transfer?

Figure for question 3
Question 3, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)
(b)

Which of these always increases as a sound gets louder?

Question 3, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)
(c)

The speed of a sound wave in air is 330 m/s.

The wavelength of this wave is 0.75 m.

Calculate the frequency of this wave.

Use the equation

Question 3, shown as an image

frequency =........ Hz

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)
(d)

Figure 4 shows a water wave.

Figure for question 3

Which of these is the amplitude of the wave shown in Figure 4?

Question 3, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(d)
(e)

Ripples travel out from the centre of a small circular pond to its edge.

(e)(i)

Describe how a student could determine the wave speed of the ripples.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(e)(i)
(e)(ii)

Figure 5 shows a duck floating on the pond.

Figure for question 3

The ripples cause the duck to move.

Draw arrows on Figure 5 to show how the duck moves due to the ripples.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(e)(ii)

Paper 5: Physics 1 June 2023 Foundation tier, Question 4 10 marks

(a)

Figure 5 shows a wave on the surface of water.

Figure for question 4
(a)(i)

Which of the arrowed lines shows the amplitude of the wave?

Question 4, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Explain why the wave shown in Figure 5 is a transverse wave.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(ii)
(b)

Figure 6 shows a ripple tank.

A screen is placed below the ripple tank.

The wave pattern produced by the ripples can be seen on the screen.

Figure for question 4

A student has a stop clock and a ruler.

(b)(i)

Describe how the student could measure the frequency of the ripples.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Describe how the student could measure the wavelength of the ripples.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(ii)
(c)

In a swimming pool, a wave is produced with a wavelength of 4.0 m and a velocity of 0.8 m / s.

Calculate the frequency of the wave.

State the unit of frequency.

Use the equation

v = f × λ

frequency of wave........ unit........

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)

Paper 5: Physics 1 June 2023 Higher tier, Question 4 11 marks

(a)

Figure 6 shows two technicians, L and M, measuring the speed of sound in air.

Figure for question 4

L fires a starting pistol.

M starts a stopwatch when first seeing the smoke from the starting pistol.

M stops the stopwatch when hearing the bang made by the starting pistol.

The distance between L and M is 120 m.

M’s reaction time is 0.23 s.

The speed of sound in air is 330 m / s.

(a)(i)

Calculate M’s reaction time as a percentage of the time sound takes to travel from L to M.

........ %

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Which of these would improve the technicians’ measurement of the speed of sound?

Question 4, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(ii)
(b)

Figure 7 shows the difference in refraction of sound waves and light waves when these waves travel from air into water.

Figure for question 4

Explain why the refraction of the sound wave is different from the refraction of the light wave in Figure 7.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)
(c)

Light is one example of an electromagnetic wave.

Light can transfer energy from a lamp to the leaf of a plant, causing chemical reactions in the leaf.

Describe examples of two other electromagnetic waves transferring energy.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)

Paper 5: Physics 1 June 2022 Foundation tier, Question 2 9 marks

This question is about waves.

(a)

Figure 3 is a diagram of a water wave in a ripple tank.

Question 2, shown as an image
Figure for question 2
(a)(i)

State the number of crests of the wave between P and Q.

number of crests =........

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

The distance between P and Q is 42 cm.

Calculate the wavelength of the water wave in Figure 3.

wavelength =........ cm

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

Describe how a student could determine the wave speed of the water wave in Figure 3.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(iii)
(b)(i)

Which row of the table is correct for sound waves ?

Figure for question 2
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

A sound wave has a frequency of 440 Hz and a wavelength of 0.75 m.

Calculate the wave speed of the sound wave.

wave speed =........ m/s

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)(ii)

Paper 5: Physics 1 November 2021 Foundation tier, Question 5 11 marks

(a)

Figure 8 shows part of a wave.

Figure for question 5

Use data from Figure 8 to calculate the wavelength of the wave.

wavelength =........ cm

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)
(b)(i)

Figure 9 shows a student sitting on the shore of a lake watching ripples on the surface of the water moving past a toy boat.

Figure for question 5

The student has a stopwatch.

Describe how the student could determine the frequency of the ripples on the lake.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

The speed of a water wave is 1.5 m/s.

The frequency of the wave is 0.70 Hz.

Calculate the wavelength of this wave.

Use the equation

v = f × λ

wavelength =........ m

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(ii)
(b)(iii)

Water waves are transverse waves.

Describe the difference between transverse waves and longitudinal waves.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(iii)
(c)

Sound waves travel at 330 m/s in air.

A student sees a flash of lightning.

The student hears the sound of thunder 4.0 s later.

Calculate the distance from the student to the flash of lightning.

Use the equation

x = v × t

distance =........ m

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(c)

Paper 5: Physics 1 November 2020 Higher tier, Question 4 9 marks

(a)
Figure for question 4
(a)(i)

Calculate the difference between the students’ value and the accepted value as a percentage of the accepted value.

percentage difference =........ %

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

When the distance was 100 m, the students measured the following times:

0.43 s 0.35 s 0.50 s 0.38 s

Explain why their times vary so much.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

Explain one way the students might improve this experiment.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(iii)
(b)
Figure for question 4
(b)(i)

Draw and label a distance of one wavelength in Figure 6.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Describe the motion of the particles as the wave travels through the air.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(ii)

Paper 5: Physics 1 June 2019 Higher tier, Question 4 9 marks

(a)

The diagram in Figure 4 shows two students, P and Q, trying to measure the speed of sound in air.

Figure for question 4

P will clap his hands together.

When Q sees P clap his hands, she will start a timer.

When Q hears the clap, she will stop the timer.

Explain one way the students could improve their method.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)
(b)

Figure 5 shows a long metal rod and a hammer. The rod is hit at one end by the hammer. This causes a sound wave to travel along the inside of the metal rod.

Figure for question 4

Describe how hitting the rod causes a sound wave to travel along the inside of the rod.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)
(c)

Sound travels slower in air than it does in water.

Figure 6 shows the direction of travel of a sound wave approaching a boundary between air and water.

The sound wave refracts at the boundary between air and water.

Figure for question 4

Complete the diagram in Figure 6 to show the direction the sound wave travels in the air.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)
(d)

Sound travels slower in cold air than it does in warm air.

The equation relating the speed of sound in air to the density of the air is

Question 4, shown as an image

The table in Figure 7 gives some data about the speed of sound in air and the density of air.

speed of sound density of air in m/s
in kg / m3
in cold air331
1.29
in warm air1.16
Question 4, shown as an image

Use the equation and the data in the table in Figure 7 to calculate the speed of sound in warm air.

Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

speed of sound in warm air =........ m/s

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(d)

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