General properties of waves: past paper questions
Real questions on general properties of waves
The newest 20 of 124 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0625/33 · May/June 2026 · Q3b[8]
beaker containing water measuring cylinder displacement can pebble bench top Figure 3.1 Describe how to determine the volume of the pebble, using any of the equipment in Figure 3.1. The scientist has a measuring cylinder, a beaker containing water and a displacement can, as shown in Figure 3.1. (b) The scientist measur...
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q3a(i)[3]
Describe how the student produces the transverse wave.
See it on the paper → - 0625/41 · May/June 2026 · Q3a(ii)[2]
The wavelength of the wave is 0.80 m. Determine the distance between the wall and the student’s hand. distance = m
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q5a(i)[1]
Complete the sentence to describe a longitudinal wave. In a longitudinal wave, the direction of vibration is to the direction of propagation.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q5a(ii)[1]
Give one example of a longitudinal wave.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q5b(i)[2]
The wavelength of the wave is 0.016 m. The wave is travelling at a speed of 0.12 m / s. Calculate the frequency of the wave. Give the unit. frequency = unit
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q5b(ii)[2]
The water wave travels from shallow water to deep water. Complete Table 5.1 to show what happens to the properties of the water wave. Indicate your answers by placing ticks (3) in the appropriate boxes. One has been done for you. wave property decreases wavelength stays the same increases 3 frequency speed from shallow...
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q5c(i)[1]
State the name of the wave effect shown in Figure 5.1.
See it on the paper → - 0625/43 · May/June 2026 · Q5c(ii)[2]
State two changes that each increase the curvature of the wavefronts as the wave passes through the gap.
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1a[1]
Plot a graph of y / cm (y‑axis) against x / cm (x‑axis). You do not need to start the axes at the origin (0,0). Draw a best‑fit straight line.
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1b[3]
Determine the gradient G of the graph. Show clearly on the graph how you obtained the necessary information. G =
See it on the paper → - 0625/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1c[2]
W P (c) The gradient G of the graph is equal to the ratio W , where W P is the weight of object P and Q W Q is the weight of object Q. W P = 2.0 N. Calculate W Q . Show your working. W Q =
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2026 · Q5a(i)[1]
Determine the amplitude of the wave in Figure 5.1. amplitude = cm
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2026 · Q5a(ii)[1]
Determine the wavelength of the wave in Figure 5.1. wavelength = cm (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · February/March 2026 · Q5b[3]
The wave speed of a gamma ray is 3.0 × 10 8 m / s. The frequency of the gamma ray is 5.0 × 10 20 Hz. Calculate the wavelength of the gamma ray. wavelength = m
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2026 · Q10b(i)[1]
Explain why the light with a wavelength of 5.0 × 10 –7 m is the blue light.
See it on the paper → - 0625/42 · February/March 2026 · Q10b(ii)[2]
The speed of light in a vacuum is 3.0 × 10 8 m / s. Calculate the frequency of the blue light. frequency = Hz
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[3]
Fig. 4.1 shows a demonstration using a noisy toy. air outlet sound proof block Fig. 4.1 The teacher puts the noisy toy into a sealed, transparent case that contains air. The teacher removes the air from inside the case. The sound of the noisy toy becomes quieter until the students cannot hear it. The students can see t...
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[8]
The students go to a large park to determine the speed of sound. Describe an experiment for determining the speed of sound. You may draw a diagram as part of your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0625/32 · October/November 2025 · Q4c[3]
The students find that the speed of sound is 340 m / s. They strike a tuning fork of frequency 260 Hz. Calculate the wavelength of the sound that the tuning fork produces. wavelength = m
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Many candidates were able to identify the amplitude of wave and use the diagram to correctly determine its value of 10 cm. Limited responses • Some candidates confused the amplitude of the wave with the wavelength of the wave. • Some candidates confused the amplitude of the wave with the peak to peak value of the wave.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/32 Q5(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Many candidates were able to identify the wavelength of wave and use the diagram to correctly determine its value of 40 cm. Limited responses • Some candidates confused the wavelength of the wave with the amplitude of the wave. • Some candidates confused the wavelength of the wave with the length of the image in the diagram.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/32 Q5(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Many candidates were able to select the correct information from the question and then to substitute these values into a correct equation to calculate the wavelength of the wave as 6.0 10-13 m. Limited responses • Some candidates rearranged the equation for calculating power output. A commonly seen approach was dividing the frequency of the gamma ray by the speed of the...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0625/32 Q5(b) (Cambridge)
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