Transverse and longitudinal waves: past paper questions
Real questions on transverse and longitudinal waves
The newest 20 of 24 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9702/41 · October/November 2025 · Q10a[2]
Define specific acoustic impedance.
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2025 · Q5a[1]
State why sound waves cannot be polarised.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4a[2]
With reference to the direction of transfer of energy, compare the oscillations of transverse and longitudinal progressive waves.
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2024 · Q4a[1]
State the phase difference between the points R and T. phase difference = °
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · May/June 2024 · Q4b[1]
On Fig. 4.1, draw an arrow at point T to show the direction of movement of point T at the instant shown.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2024 · Q5a[1]
By reference to the direction of propagation of energy, state what is meant by a transverse wave.
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2023 · Q5b(i)[1]
The light waves emerging from the two slits are coherent. State what is meant by coherent.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2023 · Q5a(i)[1]
a transverse wave
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2023 · Q5a(ii)[1]
a longitudinal wave.
See it on the paper → - 9702/23 · October/November 2022 · Q4c[2]
A longitudinal sound wave is travelling through a solid. The initial intensity of the wave is I 0 . The frequency of the wave remains constant and the amplitude falls to half of its original value. Determine, in terms of I 0 , the final intensity of the wave. intensity = I 0
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · May/June 2022 · Q5a[1]
The light waves from the two slits are coherent. State what is meant by coherent.
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · October/November 2021 · Q4a[1]
By reference to the direction of transfer of energy, state what is meant by a longitudinal wave.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · October/November 2021 · Q4c[2]
Determine the time taken for the sound emitted at time t = 4.0 s to travel to the child. time taken = s
See it on the paper → - 9702/53 · October/November 2021 · Q1[6]
A student investigates stationary sound waves in cylindrical tubes. Fig. 1.1 shows a stationary wave pattern in a tube which is open at both ends. L d cylindrical tube Fig. 1.1 The tube has length L and diameter d. The frequency of the sound for the stationary wave pattern shown is f. There are a number of different tu...
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · October/November 2020 · Q5b[3]
A second wave Z has wavelength 8.0 cm and amplitude 2.0 mm at point P. Waves Y and Z have the same speed. For the waves at point P, calculate the ratio intensity of wave Z . intensity of wave Y ratio =
See it on the paper → - 9702/21 · May/June 2020 · Q4a(i)[1]
By reference to the direction of propagation of energy, state what is meant by a longitudinal wave.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2020 · Q4b(i)[1]
Diffraction of the light waves occurs at each slit of the grating. The light waves emerging from the slits are coherent. Explain what is meant by: 1. diffraction 2. coherent.
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2020 · Q4b(ii)[3]
The wavelength of the laser light is 650 nm. The angle between the third order diffraction maxima is 68°, as illustrated in Fig. 4.1. third order diffraction maximum laser light wavelength 650 nm 68° diffraction grating Fig. 4.1 (not to scale) third order diffraction maximum Calculate the separation d between the centr...
See it on the paper → - 9702/22 · February/March 2020 · Q4b(iii)[2]
The red laser light is replaced with blue laser light. State and explain the change, if any, to the angle between the third order diffraction maxima.
See it on the paper → - 9702/51 · May/June 2019 · Q2a[1]
A graph is plotted of 1 on the y-axis against θ on the x-axis. I Determine an expression for the gradient. gradient =
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
There were many correct responses. Common incorrect answers were ‘same amplitude’ and ‘same path difference’ and these were not given credit.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9702/21 Q5(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Successful responses were concise and unambiguous. Weaker candidates often gave a convoluted and confused general description of a transverse wave without directly comparing the directions of lines P and Q.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9702/22 Q5(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Weaker candidates sometimes attempted to give a general description of a longitudinal wave without directly comparing the directions of lines P and Q.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 9702/22 Q5(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
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