AQA GCSE Physics Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2024: Question 4
13 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Answer questions about transverse and longitudinal waves, calculate wave period and wavelength, describe a method to determine the speed of sound in air, and analyze wave behavior.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
04 Figure 7 represents a transverse wave.
Figure 7
04.1 Which arrow represents the amplitude of the wave?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
A B C D
04.2 Which arrow represents the wavelength of the wave?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
A B 15C D
04.3 A wave has a frequency of 5000 Hz.
Calculate the period of the wave.
Use the equation:
period =
frequency
[2 marks]
Period = s
04.4 Give one example of a transverse wave that can travel through a vacuum.
[1 mark]
04.5 Figure 8 represents a longitudinal wave.
Figure 8
Which point is at the centre of a rarefaction?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
E F 16G
04.6 A sound wave has a frequency of 750 Hz.
speed of sound in air = 330 m/s
Calculate the wavelength of the sound wave.
Use the equation:
wave speed
wavelength =
frequency
[2 marks]
Wavelength = m
04.7 Describe a method that could be used to determine the speed of sound in air.
[4 marks]
04.8 When a sound wave moves from air into water, the speed of the wave increases.
The frequency of the sound wave does not change.
Complete the sentence.
Choose the answer from the box.
[1 mark]
decreases stays the same increases
When a sound wave moves from air into water its
wavelength .
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 4
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark Spec.
R f
04.1 C 1 AO1
4.6.1.2
AO /
R f
04.2 B 1 AO1
4.6.1.2
AO /
R f
04.3 1 1 AO2
period =
5000 4.6.1.2
period = 0.0002 (s) 1
AO /
R f
04.4 any named electromagnetic allow electromagnetic (wave) 1 AO1
wave
4.6.2.1
AO /
R f
04.5 F 1 AO1
4.6.1.1
AO /
R f
04.6 330 1 AO2
wavelength =
750 4.6.1.2
= 0.44 (m) 1
AO /
Question Answers Mark
Spec. Ref.13
04.7 Level 2: The method would lead to the production of a valid 3–4 AO1
outcome. The key steps are identified and logically sequenced. 4.6.1.2
Level 1: The method would not lead to a valid outcome. Some 1–2
relevant steps are identified, but links are not made clear.
No relevant content 0
Indicative content
method of making sound
eg cymbals, wooden blocks, starting pistol
measuring distance
• measuring distance between sound source and detector
eg distance to wall, distance along track, distance between
microphones
• use of measuring instrument
eg tape measure, trundle wheel, metre rule
measuring time
• timing started when sound made and timing stopped when sound
heard
• use of measuring instrument
eg stopwatch, oscilloscope, data logger
extra detail
• dividing time by 2 or multiply distance by 2 for echo method
distance
• use of equation speed =
time
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
04.8 increases 1 AO3
4.6.1.2
Total Question 4 13
How to answer it
Waves and Wave Properties Study Guide
What this question tests
This question assesses your understanding of transverse and longitudinal waves, key wave terminology (amplitude, wavelength, period, frequency, compression, rarefaction), applying wave equations, and describing a practical method to determine the speed of sound in air.
Identifying Amplitude
✅ Correct Answer
Tick box C (arrow C points from the centre line to the trough).
💡 Key Knowledge
- Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a wave from its central undisturbed position to a crest or a trough.
Identifying Wavelength
✅ Correct Answer
Tick box B (arrow B spans one full wavelength from crest to crest).
💡 Key Knowledge
- Wavelength is the distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on the adjacent wave (e.g., crest to crest or trough to trough).
Calculating Wave Period
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- Identify equation: period = 1 / frequency
- Substitute values: period = 1 / 5000
- Calculate result: period = 0.0002 s
❌ Common Errors
- Forgetting to include proper units (seconds / s) or misplacing decimal zeros when dividing by large numbers.
Transverse Waves in a Vacuum
✅ Correct Answer
Any named electromagnetic wave (e.g., Light waves , Radio waves , X-rays , Microwaves ).
💡 Key Knowledge
- All electromagnetic waves are transverse and can travel through a vacuum (unlike sound waves which require a medium).
Longitudinal Wave Rarefaction
✅ Correct Answer
Tick box F (point F is at the centre of the spread-out region / rarefaction).
💡 Key Knowledge
- Compression: Regions where particles are pushed close together.
- Rarefaction: Regions where particles are spread further apart. Point F sits right in the middle of a rarefaction.
Calculating Wavelength of Sound
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
- Identify equation: wavelength = wave speed / frequency
- Substitute values: wavelength = 330 / 750
- Calculate result: wavelength = 0.44 m
🧠 Exam Technique
Always show your substitution clearly even for simple 1-step calculations so you can pick up method marks if calculator errors occur.
Required Practical: Speed of Sound in Air
💡 Key Knowledge & Method
- Make sound: Use cymbals, a starting pistol, or wooden blocks a measured distance away from a wall or second person.
- Measure distance: Use a trundle wheel or tape measure to find the distance (d) between the source and detector/wall.
- Measure time: Start a stopwatch when the visual cue (e.g. smoke from pistol / clash of cymbals) is seen and stop it when the sound is heard.
- Calculate speed: Use speed = distance / time. (If using an echo off a wall, remember to multiply distance by 2 or divide time by 2).
🧠 Exam Technique (Level of Response)
To achieve Level 2 (3-4 marks), your description must logically sequence the equipment used, what measurements are taken, and how the final speed calculation is performed. Vague answers lacking timing methods or distance equipment will stay in Level 1.
Wave Refraction: Speed and Wavelength
✅ Correct Answer
When a sound wave moves from air into water its wavelength increases.
💡 Key Knowledge
- Using the wave equation wave speed = frequency × wavelength :
- Frequency remains constant when entering a new medium.
- Since speed increases in water, the wavelength must also increase proportionally.
Topics
Physics · Required Practicals · P6: Waves
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Physics examination, Physics Paper 2 (Foundation), June 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.