General properties of waves: past paper questions
Real questions on general properties of waves
The newest 20 of 44 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/41 · May/June 2026 · Q3a(i)[3]
Describe how the student produces the transverse wave.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2026 · Q3a(ii)[2]
(ii) The wavelength of the wave is 0.80m. Determine the distance between the wall and the student’s hand. GIStANCE .......... .......... .......... [2]
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · 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 → - 0972/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1b[1]
Determine the gradient G of the graph. Show clearly on the graph how you obtained the necessary information.
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · May/June 2026 · Q1c[1]
The gradient G of the graph is equal to the ratio 77- W, , where W, is the weight of object P and Wg is the weight of object Q. Wp = 2.0N. Calculate W,. Show your working.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2025 · Q7a(i)[1]
the amplitude of the wave amplitude of wave = cm
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2025 · Q7a(ii)[2]
the frequency of the wave. frequency of wave = Hz
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2025 · Q7b(ii)[3]
The speed of yellow light is 3.0 × 10 8 m / s. The wavelength of yellow light is 5.8 × 10 –7 m. Calculate the frequency of yellow light. frequency = Hz
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2025 · Q5a[3]
A teacher produces a water wave in a ripple tank. The wavelength of the water wave is 1.2 cm. The speed of the water wave is 18 cm / s. Calculate the frequency of the water wave. frequency = Hz
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2025 · Q7a[2]
Place ticks (✓) in Table 7.1 to show the properties of sound waves and of microwaves. Table 7.1 property sound waves microwaves longitudinal transverse travel in a vacuum electromagnetic
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2025 · Q5c(i)[1]
Define monochromatic.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2025 · Q5c(ii)[3]
Calculate the frequency of the light. frequency =
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q7a(ii)[1]
barrier Fig. 7.2 State the name of the process shown in Fig. 7.2. direction of wave travel
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q7b[2]
Describe the direction of vibration of particles in a transverse wave.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q7d[3]
The velocity of a wave is 1500 m / s. The frequency of the wave is 250 Hz. Calculate the wavelength of the wave. wavelength = m
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2024 · Q5d[4]
Another loudspeaker produces a sound of wavelength 0.40 m. Sound from the loudspeaker reaches a sound absorbing surface with a gap of width 0.80 m at the centre. Fig. 5.1 shows the arrangement. J gap 0.80 m K loudspeaker sound absorbing surface Fig. 5.1 Explain whether it is possible to detect sound from the loudspeake...
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2024 · Q5a[2]
Describe how a longitudinal wave differs from a transverse wave.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2024 · Q5b(i)[1]
State whether this seismic wave is a P-wave (primary) or an S-wave (secondary). Justify your choice.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2024 · Q5b(ii)[2]
The wave represented in Fig. 5.1 has a wavelength of 1.2 × 10 4 m. Calculate the actual distance between point J and point K. distance =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · May/June 2024 · Q5b(iii)[3]
The wave in (ii) travels through the ground at a speed of 4600 m / s. As the wave passes a certain point, the ground completes 5 oscillations. Calculate the time that it takes for the wave to pass. Show your working. time =
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The correct answer of 0.8 cm was by far the most common answer. A few candidates gave 1.6 cm.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q7(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Candidates found this question challenging. Many candidates thought that they had to use the wave equation and so tried this but with no success. Most candidates did not realise that they were trying to find out how many waves occurred in 1 second. The most straightforward way of finding this was to look at the graph and count.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q7(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Many candidates gave a correct substitution into a correct rearrangement of the wave equation. Stronger candidates were then able to calculate a correct answer. The most common error was to use an incorrect rearrangement of the wave equation such as frequency = wavelength ÷ speed.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/31 Q7(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
Past papers, syllabus and examiner reports © UCLES (Cambridge University Press & Assessment). Questions are matched to topics from the official syllabus. AssessPro is independent and not endorsed by Cambridge.