0654.P3.4.04 — Describe how changes in amplitude and frequency affect the loudness and pitch of sound waves: past paper questions
Real questions on 0654.p3.4.04 — describe how changes in amplitude and frequency affect the loudness and pitch of sound waves
The newest 17 of 17 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0973/31 · May/June 2025 · Q9b[2]
The audible frequency range for a horse is from 55 Hz to 33 kHz. Compare this range to that of a human.
See it on the paper → - 0973/32 · May/June 2025 · Q10a(i)[1]
State the minimum frequency audible to humans. minimum frequency = Hz
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2024 · Q9b(i)[1]
State the maximum audible frequency for a healthy human ear in Hz. frequency = Hz
See it on the paper → - 0973/32 · May/June 2024 · Q3a(v)[2]
Ultrasound waves are used to scan unborn babies. Ultrasound waves have a frequency above the maximum audible frequency for a human. Suggest a frequency for ultrasound waves. State the unit of your answer. frequency = unit
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2023 · Q3b(i)[1]
Suggest a value for the frequency of ultrasound. frequency = Hz
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2022 · Q9c(i)[1]
State how the amplitude of the sound wave changes when the car accelerates up the hill.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2022 · Q9c(ii)[1]
State how the frequency of the sound wave changes when the car accelerates up the hill.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2021 · Q9d(i)[2]
Describe the amplitude and frequency of this sound. amplitude frequency
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2021 · Q9d(ii)[1]
State the unit of frequency.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · May/June 2021 · Q9a(ii)[1]
State which instrument in Table 9.1 produces the sound with the lowest pitch.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · May/June 2021 · Q9a(iii)[1]
State which instrument in Table 9.1 produces sound with the widest range of frequencies.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · May/June 2021 · Q9a(iv)[1]
State the normal audible frequency range for a healthy human ear. from Hz to Hz
See it on the paper → - 0973/32 · May/June 2021 · Q9b(i)[2]
The tumble dryer is noisy and emits loud sound waves with a low pitch. Describe the sound waves in terms of their amplitude and frequency. amplitude
See it on the paper → - 0973/32 · May/June 2021 · Q9b(ii)[2]
State the lowest audible frequency for a healthy human ear. State the unit of your answer. frequency = unit
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · May/June 2020 · Q3c[1]
Infrasound is a very low frequency sound wave which is below the lowest frequency that a human is able to hear. Elephants communicate with each other using infrasound. Suggest a possible frequency for infrasound. Explain your answer. frequency Hz explanation
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · May/June 2019 · Q3c[3]
The motorcycle engine is noisy and emits sound waves that pass through the air. The sound waves pass through the air as a series of compressions (C) and rarefactions (R). Fig. 3.3 shows the positions of the compressions and rarefactions as the sound wave passes through the air. C R C R C R C R C R Fig. 3.3 Suggest how...
See it on the paper → - 0973/42 · May/June 2019 · Q9a(ii)[1]
Using your knowledge of the range of audible frequencies for a healthy human ear, suggest a frequency for these ultrasound waves. frequency = Hz
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Many candidates knew the appropriate range for a human and were able to make a comparison. Others were too vague in their comparison, often not being clear in their references to horses or humans. Others referred to better hearing which was not the correct idea.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/31 Q9(b) (Cambridge)
This question was well answered. Some candidates mistakenly gave the upper range and others were clearly guessing.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/32 Q10(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Many candidates correctly identified the piano as the instrument producing a sound with the lowest pitch. Guitar was often incorrectly suggested.
— Examiner report, May/June 2021, 0973/31 Q9(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
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