Sound: past paper questions
Real questions on sound
The newest 20 of 44 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/42 · May/June 2026 · Q7a(ii)[2]
(ii) A sound of frequency 440 Hz is produced by the loudspeaker. The speed of the sound is 340m/s. Calculate the wavelength of this sound. State the unit. wavelength .......... Unit [2]
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2026 · Q7b[1]
Define ‘ultrasound’. ccsseeusussssvsssuecssesssuvessusssesessvetsusssutssiversusessnsesivsssusssavessutstssstssssitesseessvesstsssetsstessnessessseess
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[1]
State the value of the speed of sound in air and state how the speed of sound in water differs from the speed of sound in air. speed of sound in air m / s
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[3]
State and explain if humans with normal hearing can hear all the sounds emitted by the dolphin. statement explanation
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q5c[2]
Complete Table 5.1 to describe differences in loudness and pitch of two different dolphin sounds. Table 5.1 Frequency / kHz amplitude 14 large 8 small loudness pitch
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2025 · Q5d[3]
Complete the sentences to describe how sound is transmitted through water. Sound waves are made of vibrating which produce compressions and rarefactions. A compression is a region of and a rarefaction is a region of . The sound waves travel
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2025 · Q5a[12]
Describe an experiment to determine the speed of sound in air. State the apparatus required, the measurements taken and how to calculate the speed of sound in air from the measurements. You may draw a labelled diagram as part of your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2024 · Q6b[3]
The time from when the students see the firework burst to when they hear the first, loud sound is 1.3 s. Calculate the distance from the firework to the students. Use the speed of sound in air = 340 m / s. distance to firework = m
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2024 · Q5a[1]
Calculate the wavelength of the sound wave. wavelength =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2024 · Q5b[1]
State a typical value for the speed of sound in air.
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2024 · Q5c(i)[2]
Calculate the frequency of the sound from the loudspeaker. frequency =
See it on the paper → - 0972/41 · October/November 2024 · Q5c(ii)[1]
Explain whether the sound from the loudspeaker is audible to a human with normal hearing.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2024 · Q6a(i)[2]
On Fig. 6.1: • • label one point C to indicate a compression label one point R to indicate a rarefaction.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2024 · Q6a(ii)[1]
Explain why this graph cannot be used to find the wavelength of the sound wave.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2024 · Q6a(iii)[1]
The sound becomes louder and of lower pitch. State what happens to: the amplitude of the sound the frequency of the sound.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2024 · Q6b[3]
A sound of frequency 13 kHz is transmitted through water. The speed of sound in water is 1500 m / s. Calculate the wavelength of this sound in water. wavelength =
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2024 · Q6c[1]
State the approximate speed of sound in air. speed =
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2023 · Q5a(ii)[2]
The observer then hears a quieter sound from the explosion. Suggest how the quieter sound waves reach the observer.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2022 · Q5a(i)[2]
State and explain what type of sound wave this is.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2022 · Q5a(ii)[3]
The wave travels through soft human tissue at a speed of 1.3 km / s. Calculate the wavelength of the wave in soft human tissue. wavelength =
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Many candidates attempted to describe a suitable method for determining the speed of sound in air. The echo method was used by the majority of candidates. Most candidates also correctly stated that the calculation required the use of v = s ÷ t. Stronger answers stated a suitable distance for the sound to travel, gave a suitable method of producing a short, loud sound, gave details of accurate timi...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0972/42 Q5(a) (Cambridge)
Stronger candidates gained full credit. The question asked for points to be labelled C and R and the strongest answers showed points and labels. More candidates recognised the correct placement for point C than for point R.
— Examiner report, May/June 2024, 0972/42 Q6(a)(i) (Cambridge)
A few candidates correctly stated that the graph did not show variation of pressure with displacement. Many just repeated words from the question, i.e. stating that it was a pressure–time graph and others stated that it showed a transverse wave and not a longitudinal one.
— Examiner report, May/June 2024, 0972/42 Q6(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
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