Progressive waves: past paper questions
Real questions on progressive waves
The newest 20 of 123 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9702/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[4]
frequency = Hz (b) Calculate the frequency of the light emitted by the laser.
See it on the paper → - 9702/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2b[1]
Values of d and λ are given in Table 2.1. Table 2.1 0.48 ± 0.12 658.4 1.04 ± 0.12 661.2 1.45 ± 0.12 664.2 1.80 ± 0.12 665.7 2.85 ± 0.12 672.4 3.75 ± 0.12 678.2 λ / nm The value of c is 3.00 × 10 5 km s –1 . Calculate and record values of d d / 10 15 s in Table 2.1. Include the absolute uncertainties in . d / 10 15 s c...
See it on the paper → - 9702/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(i)[2]
Plot a graph of λ / nm against d d / 10 15 s. Include error bars for . c c
See it on the paper → - 9702/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(ii)[2]
Draw the straight line of best fit and a worst acceptable straight line on your graph. Label both lines.
See it on the paper → - 9702/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(iii)[2]
Determine the gradient of the line of best fit. Include the absolute uncertainty in your answer. gradient = 680 678 λ / nm 674 672 670 676 668 666 664 662 660 658 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 d / 10 15 s c 14
See it on the paper → - 9702/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(iv)[2]
Determine the y-intercept of the line of best fit. Include the absolute uncertainty in your answer. y-intercept = (iv)
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2025 · Q5a[2]
Use the definitions of speed v, frequency f and wavelength λ to derive the wave equation v = f λ .
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2025 · Q3a[1]
State the amplitude of wave X. amplitude = cm
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[2]
Determine the speed of wave X. speed = m s –1
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(ii)[1]
State and explain whether X and Y are coherent.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2025 · Q3c[2]
Wave X and wave Y superpose to form a resultant wave. On Fig. 3.2, sketch the variation of displacement of the resultant wave with distance from A at the instant of time shown in Fig. 3.1. 20 displacement / cm 10 0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 distance from A / m –10 –20 Fig. 3.2
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2025 · Q3d[2]
The intensity of wave X is I X . The intensity of wave Y is I Y . Use Fig. 3.1 to determine the ratio I X . I Y ratio =
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2025 · Q5a[3]
wavelength = m Determine the wavelength of the sound. (a) The speed of the sound emitted by the loudspeaker is 330 m s –1 .
See it on the paper → - 9702/42 · February/March 2025 · Q4d(ii)[3]
A parallel beam of ultrasound waves is incident on a muscle‑bone boundary. Data for muscle and bone are given in Table 4.1. Table 4.1 material density / kg m –3 speed of sound / m s –1 muscle 1100 1600 bone 1900 4100 Calculate the percentage of the intensity of the ultrasound beam that is transmitted at this boundary....
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · October/November 2024 · Q6b(iii)[2]
Use the formula for the double-slit interference of light to calculate the distance between adjacent intensity maxima on line PQ. distance = m
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4b(ii)[3]
The speed of sound in air is 340 m s –1 . Determine the frequency of the sound wave. frequency = Hz
See it on the paper → - 9702/41 · October/November 2024 · Q4b(iv)[4]
On Fig. 4.3, sketch the variation of h with time t from t = 0 to t = 6.0 s. 10.0 h / cm 7.5 5.0 2.5 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 t / s Fig. 4.3
See it on the paper → - 9702/43 · October/November 2024 · Q4b(iv)[4]
On Fig. 4.3, sketch the variation of h with time t from t = 0 to t = 6.0 s. 10.0 h / cm 7.5 5.0 2.5 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 t / s Fig. 4.3
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2024 · Q5a[2]
Explain how a stationary wave is formed between the vibration generator and the wall.
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2024 · Q5e[2]
Calculate the speed of the progressive waves on the stretched string. speed = m s –1
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The stronger candidates were able to calculate the time period from the CRO trace and then evaluate the wavelength of the sound. A significant number were unable to determine the time period using the time-base setting, often mis-reading the graph or failing to convert a correct reading to a period. Candidates frequently introduced a power-of-ten error of 100 when attempting to deal with the cm–1....
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/22 Q5(a) (Cambridge)
Well-answered by many candidates, with full credit being common. Many other candidates calculated the percentage reflected and stopped short of using that value to determine the percentage transmitted.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9702/42 Q4(d)(ii) (Cambridge)
Only the strongest candidates sketched a straight line through the correct points. The majority sketched their line from the correct starting point, but drew a curve instead of a straight line.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9702/23 Q6(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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