AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), November 2020: Question 3
9 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Identify wave properties, calculate wave period, and analyze an investigation on the speed of water waves in a tray of varying depth.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
03 Figure 2 shows some waves.
Figure 2
03.1 Which arrow represents the wavelength of the waves?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
P
Q
R
S
03.2 Which arrow represents the amplitude of the waves?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
P
Q
R
S 13
03.3 The waves have a frequency of 0.20 hertz.
Calculate the period of the waves.
Use the equation:
period =
frequency
[2 marks]
Period = s
03.4 The frequency of the waves is increased. The speed of the waves stays the same.
What happens to the wavelength of the waves?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
The wavelength decreases.
The wavelength increases.
The wavelength stays the same. 14
A student investigated how the speed of water waves is affected by the depth of
water in a tray.
Figure 3 shows some water in a rectangular tray.
Figure 3
The student lifted one end of the tray and then dropped it.
*13* This made a wave which travelled the length of the tray.
03.5 The student measured the length of the tray.
What else should the student measure in order to calculate the speed of the wave?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Area of the bottom of the tray
Depth of water in the tray
Temperature of the water in the tray
Time taken by the wave to travel the length of the tray15
03.6 What was the independent variable in this investigation?
[1 mark]
Depth of water
Length of tray
Speed of waves 16
Figure 4 shows the results.
Figure 4
03.7 Give one conclusion that can be made from Figure 4.
[1 mark]
03.8 What was the speed of a wave when the depth of water was 2.5 cm?
[1 mark]
Speed of wave = m/s
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 3
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
03.1 R 1 AO1
4.6.1.2
03.2 S 1 AO1
4.6.1.2
03.3 1 1 AO2
T =
0.20 4.6.1.2
T = 5(.0 s)
03.4 The wavelength decreases 1 AO1
4.6.1.2
03.5 Time taken by the wave to travel 1 AO1
the length of the tray 4.6.1.2
RPA8
03.6 Depth of water 1 AO1
4.6.1.2
RPA8
03.7 as the depth increases, the allow positive correlation 1 AO3
speed increases (between speed and depth) 4.6.1.2
RPA8
03.8 0.49 (m/s) 1 AO2
4.6.1.2
Total 9
How to answer it
Waves, Wave Properties, and Practical Investigation
What this question tests
This question assesses your understanding of transverse wave anatomy (wavelength and amplitude), wave calculations involving frequency and period, the wave equation relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength, and practical investigation skills (identifying variables, choosing measurements, interpreting graph data, and reading graph coordinates accurately).
Identifying Wavelength
✅ Correct Answer
R
💡 Key Knowledge
- Wavelength: The distance from one point on a wave to the equivalent point on the next wave (e.g., crest to crest).
- Arrow R spans horizontally from one wave crest to the adjacent wave crest.
❌ Common Errors
Students often confuse wavelength with amplitude or total height. Make sure you look for horizontal distance between identical phase points.
Identifying Amplitude
✅ Correct Answer
S
💡 Key Knowledge
Amplitude: The maximum displacement of a wave from its central rest position (middle) to a crest or trough. Arrow S measures vertically from the centre line to the crest.
Calculating Wave Period
✅ Correct Answer
Period = 5 s (or 5.0 s )
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- State the given formula: period = 1 / frequency
- Substitute values: period = 1 / 0.20
- Calculate final value: 5
🧠 Exam Technique
Always show your substitution clearly even for simple 2-mark equations. This ensures you pick up a method mark if your mental arithmetic slips.
Frequency and Wavelength Relationship
✅ Correct Answer
The wavelength decreases.
💡 Key Knowledge
Using the wave equation ( speed = frequency × wavelength ), if speed is constant and frequency increases, wavelength must decrease proportionately.
Investigating Water Waves (Practical Skills)
✅ 03.5 Correct Answer
Time taken by the wave to travel the length of the tray (1 mark)
✅ 03.6 Correct Answer
Depth of water (1 mark)
💡 Key Knowledge (RPA8)
- To find speed, you need both distance ( length of the tray ) and time ( time taken ) using speed = distance / time .
- The independent variable is the variable you intentionally change: the depth of water in the tray.
Interpreting Graph Conclusions
✅ Correct Answer
As the depth increases, the speed increases (or a positive correlation between speed and depth).
🧠 Exam Technique
When asked for a conclusion from a graph line going up from left to right, explicitly mention how the dependent variable responds to the independent variable ("As [X] increases, [Y] increases").
Reading Values from a Graph
✅ Correct Answer
Speed of wave = 0.49 m/s (Acceptable range: 0.48 to 0.50 )
🧠 Exam Technique
Use a ruler to line up 2.5 cm on the horizontal axis of Figure 4, trace up to the curve, and read across to the vertical axis carefully, paying attention to the scale of the grid squares.
❌ Common Errors
Misreading minor grid lines on graph axes. Each small grid square on the vertical axis represents 0.01 m/s.
Topics
Physics · Required Practicals · P6: Waves · Required Practicals
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), November 2020. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.