AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2023: Question 5
6 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Identify transverse wave properties, state another electromagnetic wave used for communications, calculate distance traveled by microwaves, and state another use of microwaves.
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Question text
05 Electromagnetic waves are transverse.
Figure 13 represents a transverse wave.
Figure 13
05.1 Which of the following gives the wavelength of the transverse wave?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Q
wavelength =
wavelength = Q
wavelength = 2 Q
05.2 Which of the following gives the amplitude of the transverse wave?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
R
amplitude =
amplitude = R
amplitude = 2 R 22
05.3 Microwaves are electromagnetic waves used for mobile phone communications.
Which other type of electromagnetic wave is also used for communications?
[1 mark]
*21* Tick ( ) one box.
Radio waves
Ultraviolet
X-rays
05.4 Microwaves from a mobile phone take 0.000 009 s to reach a mobile phone mast.
speed of microwaves = 300 000 000 m/s
Calculate the distance between the mobile phone and the mobile phone mast.
Use the equation:
distance = speed × time
[2 marks]
Distance = m
05.5 Mobile phone communications is only one of the uses for microwaves.
Give one other use of microwaves.
[1 mark]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 5
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
05.1 wavelength = Q 1 AO1
4.6.1.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
05.2 R 1 AO1
amplitude =
2 4.6.1.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
05.3 radio waves 1 AO1
4.6.2.4
AO /
Spec. Ref.
05.4 s = 300 000 000 × 0.000009 1 AO2
4.5.6.1.2
s = 2700 (m) 1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
05.5 satellite communications allow WiFi 1 AO1
or 4.6.2.4
cooking /heating food
Total Question 5 6
How to answer it
Waves and Electromagnetic Spectrum Study Guide
What this question tests
This question assesses your understanding of transverse wave properties (wavelength and amplitude), recall of the electromagnetic spectrum uses (specifically microwaves and radio waves), and your ability to apply the wave/speed equation ( distance = speed × time ) using standard form or large decimal numbers.
Identifying Wavelength from a Diagram
✅ Correct Answer
wavelength = Q
💡 Key Knowledge
- Wavelength is the distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on the adjacent wave (e.g., peak to peak).
- In Figure 13, dimension Q spans exactly one full cycle (from one peak to the next peak).
❌ Common Errors
Students often incorrectly choose Q / 2 because they confuse wavelength with amplitude or mistake the two full peaks shown for a half-cycle.
Identifying Amplitude from a Diagram
✅ Correct Answer
amplitude = R / 2
💡 Key Knowledge
- Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a wave from its undisturbed position (the middle line) to a peak or a trough.
- Dimension R on the diagram represents the total height from the very bottom of a trough to the very top of a peak. Therefore, amplitude is half of R .
🧠 Exam Technique
Always check if dimension arrows span from peak-to-trough (total height) or middle-to-peak (amplitude). Double-check labels carefully before ticking boxes.
Electromagnetic Spectrum Uses
✅ Correct Answer
Radio waves
💡 Key Knowledge
- Both radio waves and microwaves are commonly used for communications (radio and TV broadcasting, mobile phones, Wi-Fi).
- Ultraviolet and X-rays have much higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths, making them ionizing and unsuitable for standard telecommunications.
Calculating Distance
✅ Correct Answer
2700 m (or 2,700 m)
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- State the equation: distance = speed × time
- Substitute values: distance = 300 000 000 × 0.000 009
- Calculate final value: 2700
❌ Common Calculation Traps
Counting zeros carefully in decimals is vital. Losing or adding a zero in 0.000009 will throw your answer off by a factor of 10 or 100. Writing down the substitution line guarantees you 1 mark even if the final arithmetic goes wrong!
Alternative Uses of Microwaves
✅ Correct Answer
Satellite communications (or cooking / heating food / WiFi)
💡 Key Knowledge
- Microwaves can pass through the Earth's atmosphere without being reflected or absorbed, which is why they are ideal for communicating with satellites in space.
- In a kitchen, microwaves are absorbed by water molecules in food, causing them to heat up.
Topics
Physics · P5: Forces · P6: Waves
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2023. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.