Physics Waves Questions Igcse Practice Preparation Exam Year9andyear10 Slay

1 (a) Two students are measuring the speed of sound.
The students are provided with a starting pistol, a stopwatch and a long measuring tape. The
starting pistol, when fired, produces a loud sound and a puff of smoke at the same instant.
Describe how the students use the apparatus and how they calculate the speed. You may
draw a diagram.
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PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com
(b) A device at the bottom of the sea emits a sound wave of frequency 200 Hz.
(i) The speed of sound in sea-water is 1500 m / s.
Calculate the wavelength of the sound in sea-water.
wavelength = ................................................................. [2]
(ii) The sound wave passes from the sea-water into the air.
State what happens, if anything, to
• the frequency of the sound, ...............................................................................
................................................................................................................................
• the speed of the sound. .....................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
[2]
[Total: 8]
2 (a) Fig. 6.1 represents the waveform of a sound wave. The wave is travelling at constant speed.
displacement
of particles
distance
along wave
Fig. 6.1
(i) On Fig. 6.1,
1. label with the letter X the marked distance corresponding to the amplitude of the
wave, [1]
2. label with the letter Y the marked distance corresponding to the wavelength of the
wave. [1]
(ii) State what happens to the amplitude and the wavelength of the wave if
1. the loudness of the sound is increased at constant pitch,
amplitude ...................................................................................................................
wavelength .................................................................................................................
[1]
2. the pitch of the sound is increased at constant loudness.
amplitude ...................................................................................................................
wavelength .................................................................................................................
[1]
(b) A ship uses pulses of sound to measure the depth of the sea beneath the ship. A sound pulse
is transmitted into the sea and the echo from the sea-bed is received after 54 ms. The speed
of sound in seawater is 1500 m / s.
Calculate the depth of the sea beneath the ship.
depth = ...........................................................[3]
[Total: 7]
3 (a) A sound wave in air consists of alternate compressions and rarefactions along its path.
(i) Explain how a compression differs from a rarefaction.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) Explain, in terms of compressions, what is meant by
1. the wavelength of the sound,
....................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................[1]
2. the frequency of the sound.
....................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) At night, bats emit pulses of sound to detect obstacles and prey. The speed of sound in air is
340 m / s.
(i) A bat emits a pulse of sound of wavelength 0.0085 m.
Calculate the frequency of the sound.
frequency = ...........................................................[2]
(ii) State why this sound cannot be heard by human beings.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(iii) The pulse of sound hits a stationary object and is reflected back to the bat. The pulse is
received by the bat 0.12 s after it was emitted.
Calculate the distance travelled by the pulse of sound during this time.
distance = ...........................................................[2]
[Total: 8]
4 A sound wave, travelling in air, approaches a solid barrier with a gap in the middle. Fig. 6.1
represents the compressions and rarefactions of the sound wave. The compressions are labelled
A, B and C.
barrier
A B C
compression
rarefaction
Fig. 6.1
(a) State how a compression differs from a rarefaction.
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) The speed of sound in air is 340 m / s. The frequency of the sound is 850 Hz.
For this wave, determine
(i) the wavelength,
wavelength = ...........................................................[2]
(ii) the time that elapses before compression A reaches the barrier.
time = ...........................................................[2]
(c) On Fig. 6.1, draw the shape and positions of compressions B and C as compression A
reaches the barrier. [2]
(d) Sound waves can also travel in water.
State how the speed of sound in water compares with the speed of sound in air.
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com [Total: 8]
5 A dolphin produces a sound wave in water of frequency 7800 Hz.
Fig. 6.1 represents rarefactions of the sound wave travelling in the water and hitting the side of a
wooden ship at an angle.
water wood
A B
direction of wave travel
rarefactions
Fig. 6.1
(a) State what is meant by a rarefaction.
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) On Fig. 6.1, two rarefactions A and B are labelled. The distance between rarefaction A and
rarefaction B is 0.76 m.
Determine
(i) the wavelength in water of the sound wave,
wavelength = ...........................................................[1]
(ii) the time taken for the rarefaction at A to reach the point where rarefaction B is now
positioned.
time = ...........................................................[2]
(c) The sound wave passes from the water into the wood where the speed of sound is greater.
State what happens to
(i) the frequency,
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) the wavelength.
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(d) On Fig. 6.1, sketch the positions in the wood of the three incomplete rarefactions. [2]
[Total: 8]
6 (a) Draw a straight line from each quantity on the left-hand side to a speed on the right-hand side
which is typical for that quantity.
30 m / s
300 m / s
speed of sound in gas
3000 m / s
speed of sound in solid

30 000 m / s
300 000 m / s
[2]
(b) Explain why sound waves are described as longitudinal.
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) Fig. 8.1 shows how the displacement of air molecules, at an instant of time, varies with
distance along the path of a sound wave.
displacement
0
0 distance along path
of sound wave
Fig. 8.1
(i) On Fig. 8.1, sketch two cycles of a sound wave that has a shorter wavelength and a
greater amplitude. [2]
(ii) State two changes in the sound heard from this wave compared with the original wave.
1. .......................................................................................................................................
2. .......................................................................................................................................
[2]
[Total: 8]
1 (a) A police car siren emits sound waves that vary in pitch.
Tick two boxes that apply to the sound waves emitted by the siren.
electromagnetic
longitudinal
transverse
visible
frequency 0.1–10 Hz
frequency 100–10 000 Hz
frequency 100 000–1 000 000 Hz

[2]
(b) Fig. 7.1 is a top view of one wavefront of a water wave before it strikes a hard boundary.
boundary
direction of travel
of wavefront wavefront
Fig. 7.1
(i) Name the process that occurs as the wavefront strikes the boundary.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Explain, in terms of wave theory, what occurs as the wavefront strikes the boundary.
...........................................................................................................................................
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...................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii) State whether there is an increase, a decrease or no change in the wavelength of the
wave after it strikes the boundary.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iv) The speed of the wave is 3.0 m / s and its wavelength 7.0 cm.
Calculate the frequency of the wave.
frequency = ............................................... [2]
[Total: 8]
2 (a) Underline the most appropriate value below for the speed of sound in water. [1]
1.5 m / s 15 m / s 150 m / s 1 500 m / s 15 000 m / s
(b) Sound travels in water as a series of compressions and rarefactions.
Describe what is meant by a compression and by a rarefaction.
compression .............................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
rarefaction .................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
[2]
(c) An echo-sounder sends out a pulse of sound to determine the depth of the sea bed. It
measures the time between sending out the pulse and receiving its echo.
Fig. 7.1 shows a boat using an echo-sounder.
echo-sounder
12 m echo pulse of sound
sea bed
Fig. 7.1
The sea bed is 12 m below the echo-sounder.
(i) Use your value for the speed of sound in water from (a) to calculate the time between the
sending out of the pulse and receiving its echo.
time = ........................................................ [3]
(ii) The boat passes over a region of the sea bed of the same depth, where the reflection of
sound waves is weaker.
State whether there is an increase, a decrease or no change in the amplitude and pitch
of the reflected wave.
amplitude ...........................................................................................................................
pitch ...................................................................................................................................
[2]
[Total: 8]
3 (a) State the range of frequencies of sound which can be heard by a healthy human ear.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) Compressions and rarefactions occur along the path of sound waves.
State, in terms of the behaviour of molecules, what is meant by
(i) a compression,
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(ii) a rarefaction.
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
[2]
(c) State the effect on what is heard by a listener when there is
(i) an increase in the amplitude of a sound,
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) a decrease in the wavelength of a sound.
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
(d) A student carries out an experiment to find the speed of sound in air.
He stands facing a high cliff and shouts. He hears the echo 1.9 s later.
He then walks 250 m further away from the cliff and shouts again, hearing the echo 3.5 s
later.
Calculate the speed of sound given by this experiment.
speed = .................................................. [3]
[Total: 8]
4 (a) State an approximate value for
(i) the speed of sound in air, .................................................................
(ii) the speed of light in air. ................................................................. [2]
(b) Use your value from (a)(i) to calculate the frequency of a sound wave that has a wavelength
of 1.2 m.
frequency = .......................................................... [2]
(c) A meteorologist observes an approaching thunderstorm and records a time difference of 4.8 s
between seeing a lightning flash and hearing the thunder that follows.
(i) Calculate the distance of the thunderstorm from the meteorologist.
distance = ...............................................................
(ii) State an assumption you made when calculating this distance.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
[2]
[Total: 6]
5 Fig. 8.1 shows a loudspeaker cone oscillating to produce sound waves.
cone oscillates to
produce sound waves
loudspeaker
cone
Fig. 8.1
(a) As the sound wave passes a point, it produces regions of higher and lower pressure. State
the names of these regions.
higher pressure ..........................................................
lower pressure .......................................................... [2]
(b) Describe how the movement of the loudspeaker cone produces these regions of different
pressure.
higher pressure .........................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
lower pressure ..........................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) State the effect on the loudness and pitch of the sound from the loudspeaker when
(i) the amplitude increases but the frequency of the sound stays the same,
loudness ............................................................................................................................
pitch ...................................................................................................................................
(ii) the amplitude stays the same but the frequency increases.
loudness ............................................................................................................................
pitch ...................................................................................................................................
[2]
[Total: 6]
6 During a thunderstorm, thunder and lightning are produced at the same time.
(a) A person is some distance away from the storm.
Explain why the person sees the lightning before hearing the thunder.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) A scientist in a laboratory made the following measurements during a thunderstorm.
time from start of storm / minutes 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0
time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder / s 3.6 2.4 1.6 2.4 3.5 4.4
Fig. 7.1
(i) How many minutes after the storm started did it reach its closest point to the
laboratory?
............................................................................................................................ [1]
(ii) How can you tell that the storm was never immediately over the laboratory?
............................................................................................................................ [1]
(iii) When the storm started, it was immediately above a village 1200 m from the
laboratory.
Using this information and information from Fig. 7.1, calculate the speed of sound.
speed of sound = ................................................ [2]
(iv) State the assumption you made when you calculated your answer to (b)(iii).
............................................................................................................................ [1]
(c) Some waves are longitudinal; some waves are transverse.
Some waves are electromagnetic; some waves are mechanical.
Put ticks (✓) in the table below to indicate which of these descriptions apply to the light
waves of the lightning and the sound waves of the thunder.
light waves sound waves
longitudinal
transverse
electromagnetic
mechanical
[3]
[Total: 9]
7 A disused railway line has a length of 300 m. A man puts his ear against one end of the rail
and another man hits the other end with a metal hammer, as shown in Fig. 7.1.
hammer railway man with ear

hits rail line against rail
300 m
Fig. 7.1
(a) (i) State an approximate value for the speed of sound in air.
................................................. [1]
(ii) Sound travels at 5000 m / s in steel.
Calculate the time it takes for the sound to travel along the rail.
time taken = ................................................ [2]
(b) The man with his ear to the railway line actually hears two sounds from the hammer,
separated by a short interval.
Explain why he hears two sounds.
..........................................................................................................................................
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.................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 5]
1 Two students are asked to determine the speed of sound in air on the school playing fields.
(a) List the apparatus they need.
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.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) List the readings that the students need to take.
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.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) State how the speed of sound is calculated from the readings.
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(d) State one precaution that could be taken to improve the accuracy of the value obtained.
..........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(e) The table gives some speeds.
speed/ speed of sound speed of sound

m/s in air in water
10
100
1000
10 000
Place a tick in the table to show the speed which is closest to
(i) the speed of sound in air,
(ii) the speed of sound in water.

[2]
[Total: 6]
2 (a) In the space below, draw a diagram to represent a sound wave.
On your diagram, mark and label
(i) two consecutive compressions and two consecutive rarefactions,
(ii) the wavelength of the wave.

[3]
(b) Fig. 7.1 shows part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
INFRA–
X-RAYS
RED
Fig. 7.1
(i) On Fig. 7.1, label the positions of γ-rays, visible light waves and radio waves. [1]
(ii) State which of the three types of wave in (i) has the lowest frequency.
............................................................................................................................ [1]
(iii) State the approximate value of the speed in air of radio waves.
............................................................................................................................ [1]
[Total: 6]
3 Fig. 7.1 shows how the air pressure at one instant varies with distance along the path of a
continuous sound wave.
air pressure
normal P X Y
air pressure distance in direction
of travel of the wave
Fig. 7.1
(a) What type of waves are sound waves?
......................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) On Fig. 7.1, mark on the axis PY
(i) one point C where there is a compression in the wave, [1]
(ii) one point R where there is a rarefaction in the wave. [1]
(c) Describe the motion of a group of air particles situated on the path of the wave shown in
Fig. 7.1.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................[2]
(d) The sound wave shown has speed of 340 m / s and a frequency of 200 Hz.
Calculate the distance represented by PX on Fig. 7.1.
distance = ........................[2]
[Total : 7]
4 Fig. 6.1 shows the path of a sound wave from a source X.
X
path of sound wave
Y wall
Fig. 6.1
(a) State why a person standing at point Y hears an echo.
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) The frequency of the sound wave leaving X is 400 Hz. State the frequency of the sound
wave reaching Y.
frequency = ……………….. [1]
(c) The speed of the sound wave leaving X is 330 m/s. Calculate the wavelength of these
sound waves.
wavelength = ………………………. [2]
(d) Sound waves are longitudinal waves.
State what is meant by the term longitudinal.
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
[ Total : 5]
5 Fig. 7.1 shows the cone of a loudspeaker that is producing sound waves in air.
At any given moment, a series of compressions and rarefactions exist along the line XY.
cone
X Y
wires
air
Fig. 7.1
(a) On Fig. 7.1, use the letter C to mark three compressions and the letter R to mark three
rarefactions along XY. [1]
(b) Explain what is meant by
(i) a compression,
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
(ii) a rarefaction.
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
[2]
(c) A sound wave is a longitudinal wave. With reference to the sound wave travelling along
XY in Fig. 7.1, explain what is meant by a longitudinal wave.
..........................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................[2]
(d) There is a large vertical wall 50 m in front of the loudspeaker. The wall reflects the
sound waves.
The speed of sound in air is 340 m/s.
Calculate the time taken for the sound waves to travel from X to the wall and to return
to X.
time = …………………[2]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com [ Total : 7 ]
6 Fig. 8.1 shows plane waves passing through a gap in a barrier that is approximately equal to
the wavelength of the waves.
barrier
Fig. 8.1
(a) What is the name given to the wave property shown in Fig. 8.1?
......................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) In the space below, carefully draw the pattern that would be obtained if the gap were
increased to six times the wavelength of the waves. [4]
(c) The effect in Fig. 8.1 is often shown using water waves on the surface of a tank of water.
These are transverse waves. Explain what is meant by a transverse wave.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................[2]
[Total : 7 ]
7 (a) Fig. 5.1 shows the air pressure variation along a sound wave.
air pressure
above normal
normal
A B
below normal distance along

wave
Fig. 5.1
(i) On AB in Fig. 5.1, mark one point of compression with a dot and the letter C and
the next point of rarefaction with a dot and the letter R.
(ii) In terms of the wavelength, what is the distance along the wave between a
compression and the next rarefaction?
...................................................................................................................................
[3]
(b) A sound wave travels through air at a speed of 340 m/s. Calculate the frequency of a
sound wave of wavelength 1.3 m.
frequency = ......................... [2]
[Total : 5]
1 (a) Fig. 5.1 shows a metal strip, held in a clamp.
metal strip
X
Y
clamp Z
Fig. 5.1
The end of the strip is pulled down and released, so that the strip vibrates. X and Z are the
extreme positions of the end of the strip during this vibration. Y is the mid-position.
Explain what is meant by
(i) the frequency of vibration of the strip,
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
(ii) the amplitude of vibration of the end of the strip.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) Fig. 5.2 shows two tall buildings, A and B, that are 99 m apart.
99 m
A B
33 m
Fig. 5.2 (not to scale)
A student stands at P so that his distance from building A is 33 m. After clapping his hands
once, he hears several echoes. The speed of sound in air is 330 m / s.
Calculate the time interval between clapping his hands and hearing
(i) the first echo,
time = .........................................................[2]
(ii) the third echo.
time = .........................................................[1]
(c) Write down an approximate value for the speed of sound
(i) in water, speed = .............................................................
(ii) in steel. speed = .............................................................

[2]
(d) Fig. 5.3 shows a dolphin in water emitting a sound wave of frequency 95 kHz.
Using your value from (c)(i), calculate the wavelength of this sound wave.
wavelength = ......................................................... [2]
[Total: 9]
Sound from a loudspeaker is travelling in air towards a solid wall.
Fig. 7.1 shows compressions of the incident sound wave and the direction of travel of the wave.
P 8.5 m Q
wall
direction of
travel
compressions
Fig. 7.1
(a) State what is meant by a compression.
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) The distance from point P to point Q is 8.5 m. It takes 25 ms for the compression at P to
reach Q.
For this sound wave, determine
(i) the wavelength,
wavelength = ...........................................................[1]
(ii) the frequency.
frequency = ...........................................................[2]
(c) As it strikes the wall, the sound reflects.
Complete Fig. 7.1 to show the positions of three compressions of the reflected sound wave.
[2]
(d) The loudspeaker is immersed in water, where it continues to produce sound of the same
frequency.
State and explain how the wavelength of the sound wave in water compares with the
wavelength determined in (b)(i).
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 8]
3 (a) State how a longitudinal wave differs from a transverse wave.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(b) A sound wave of frequency 7.5 kHz travels through a steel beam at a speed of 6100 m / s.
(i) Calculate the wavelength of this sound wave in the steel beam.
wavelength = ............................................... [2]
(ii) The sound wave passes from the end of the beam into air.
State
1. the effect on the speed of the sound,
............................................................................................................................... [1]
2. the effect on the wavelength of the sound.
............................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 6]
(a) Two types of seismic waves are produced by earthquakes. They are called P-waves and
S-waves. P-waves are longitudinal and S-waves are transverse.
(i) Explain what is meant by the terms longitudinal and transverse.
longitudinal ........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
transverse ..........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
[2]
(ii) State another example of
1. a longitudinal wave, ....................................................................................................
2. a transverse wave. .....................................................................................................

[2]
(iii) A seismic wave has a speed of 7.2 km / s and a frequency of 30 Hz.
Calculate its wavelength.
wavelength = ................................................. [2]
(b) Fig. 5.1 shows an electric bell ringing in a sealed glass chamber containing air.
to vacuum pump
bell
Fig. 5.1
A student hears the bell ringing. The air is then removed from the chamber.
State and explain any change in the sound heard by the student.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 8]
5 (a) Fig. 7.1 shows the surface of water in a tank.
barrier
Fig. 7.1
Straight wavefronts are produced at the left-hand end of the tank and travel towards a
gap in a barrier. Curved wavefronts travel away from the gap.
(i) Name the process that causes the wavefronts to spread out at the gap.
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Suggest a cause of the reduced spacing of the wavefronts to the right of the barrier.
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(iii) State how the pattern of wavefronts to the right of the barrier changes when the
gap is made narrower.
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) Fig. 7.2 shows a wave travelling, in the direction of the arrow, along a rope.
2.4 m
Fig. 7.2
(i) Explain why the wave shown in Fig. 7.2 is described as a transverse wave.
..................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) The speed of the wave along the rope is 3.2 m / s.
frequency = .................................................. [3]
[Total: 7]
6 (a) Draw a straight line from each wave to the most appropriate speed on the right.
wave speed
15 m / s
(1.5 × 10 m / s)
300 m / s
(3 × 102 m / s)
light in air
1500 m / s
(1.5 × 103 m / s)
sound in air
1 500 000 m / s
(1.5 × 106 m / s)
sound in water
300 000 000 m / s
(3 × 108 m / s)
1 500 000 000 m / s

(1.5 × 109 m / s)
[3]
(b) Fig. 6.1 shows a railway-line testing-team checking a continuous rail of length 120 m.
The diagram is not to scale.
earphone
steel rail hammer

sensor
One tester strikes one end of the rail with a hammer. The other tester hears the sound
transmitted through the air and transmitted through the rail. He hears the two sounds at
different times.
The speed of sound in steel is 5000 m / s.
Calculate the time difference, using your value from (a) for the speed of sound in air.
time difference = .................................................. [4]
[Total: 7]
(a) The speed of light in air is known to be 3.0 × 108 m / s.
Outline how you would use a refraction experiment to deduce the speed of light in glass. You
may draw a diagram if it helps to clarify your answer.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[4]
(b) A tsunami is a giant water wave. It may be caused by an earthquake below the ocean.
Waves from a certain tsunami have a wavelength of 1.9 × 105 m and a speed of 240 m / s.
(i) Calculate the frequency of the tsunami waves.
frequency = ...........................................................[2]
(ii) The shock wave from the earthquake travels at 2.5 × 103 m / s.
The centre of the earthquake is 6.0 × 105 m from the coast of a country.
Calculate how much warning of the arrival of the tsunami at the coast is given by the
earth tremor felt at the coast.
warning time = ...........................................................[4]
[Total: 10]
8 (a) Fig. 6.1 shows the position of layers of air, at one moment, as a sound wave of constant
frequency passes through the air. Compressions are labelled C. Rarefactions are labelled R.
C R
Fig. 6.1
(i) State how Fig. 6.1 would change if
1. the sound had a higher frequency,
................................................................................................................................[1]
2. the sound were louder.
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................[2]
(ii) On Fig. 6.1, draw a line marked with arrows at each end to show the wavelength of the
sound. [1]
(b) In an experiment to measure the speed of sound in steel, a steel pipe of length 200 m is
struck at one end with a hammer. A microphone at the other end of the pipe is connected
to an accurate timer. The timer records a delay of 0.544 s between the arrival of the sound
transmitted by the steel pipe and the sound transmitted by the air in the pipe.
The speed of sound in air is 343 m / s. Calculate the speed of sound in steel.
speed of sound in steel = ...........................................................[3]
[Total: 7]
9 In a thunderstorm, both light and sound waves are generated at the same time.
(a) How fast does the light travel towards an observer?
speed = .................................. [1]
(b) Explain why the sound waves always reach the observer after the light waves.
......................................................................................................................................[1]
(c) The speed of sound waves in air may be determined by experiment using a source that
generates light waves and sound waves at the same time.
(i) Draw a labelled diagram of the arrangement of suitable apparatus for the
experiment.
(ii) State the readings you would take.
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
(iii) Explain how you would calculate the speed of sound in air from your readings.
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
[4]
[ Total : 6]
1 Fig. 6.1 shows a scale drawing of plane wavefronts approaching a gap in a barrier.
direction of wave travel
barrier
Fig. 6.1
(a) On Fig. 6.1, draw the pattern of the wavefronts after the wave has passed through the gap.
[2]
(b) The wave approaching the barrier has a wavelength of 2.5 cm and a speed of 20 cm / s.
frequency = [2]
(c) State what happens, if anything, to the frequency of the wave as it passes through the gap.
[1]
(d) Explain, in terms of diffraction, why a car radio may pick up low frequency radio signals but
not pick up high frequency radio signals when the car is travelling behind a hill.
[2]
[Total: 7]
2 A water wave in a tank travels from a region where the speed of the wave is faster into a region
where it is slower.
Fig. 6.1 is a one-quarter scale diagram that shows the wavefronts in the region where the speed is
faster.
faster region
wavefronts
tank
slower region
Fig. 6.1 (scale: 1.0 cm represents 4.0 cm)
(a) (i) Take measurements from the scale diagram in Fig. 6.1 to determine the wavelength of
the water wave as it travels in the faster region.
wavelength = ................................................ [2]
(ii) The speed of the wave in the faster region is 0.39 m / s.
frequency = ................................................ [2]
(b) On Fig. 6.1, draw lines that indicate the positions of the wavefronts of the water wave in the
slower region. [2]
(c) State what happens to the frequency of the water wave as it passes into the slower region.
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 7]
3 (a) Fig. 5.1 shows a metal strip, held in a clamp.
metal strip
X
Y
clamp Z
Fig. 5.1
The end of the strip is pulled down and released, so that the strip vibrates. X and Z are the
extreme positions of the end of the strip during this vibration. Y is the mid-position.
Explain what is meant by
(i) the frequency of vibration of the strip,
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
(ii) the amplitude of vibration of the end of the strip.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) Fig. 5.2 shows two tall buildings, A and B, that are 99 m apart.
99 m
A B
33 m
A student stands at P so that his distance from building A is 33 m. After clapping his hands
once, he hears several echoes. The speed of sound in air is 330 m / s.
Calculate the time interval between clapping his hands and hearing
(i) the first echo,
time = .........................................................[2]
(ii) the third echo.
time = .........................................................[1]
(c) Write down an approximate value for the speed of sound
(i) in water, speed = .............................................................
(ii) in steel. speed = .............................................................

[2]
(d) Fig. 5.3 shows a dolphin in water emitting a sound wave of frequency 95 kHz.
Using your value from (c)(i), calculate the wavelength of this sound wave.
=wavelength ......................................................... [2]
[Total: 9]
4 Sound from a loudspeaker is travelling in air towards a solid wall.
Fig. 7.1 shows compressions of the incident sound wave and the direction of travel of the wave.
P 8.5 m Q
wall
direction of
travel
compressions
Fig. 7.1
(a) State what is meant by a compression.
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) The distance from point P to point Q is 8.5 m. It takes 25 ms for the compression at P to
reach Q.
For this sound wave, determine
(i) the wavelength,
wavelength = ...........................................................[1]
(ii) the frequency.
frequency = ...........................................................[2]
(c) As it strikes the wall, the sound reflects.
Complete Fig. 7.1 to show the positions of three compressions of the reflected sound wave.
[2]
(d) The loudspeaker is immersed in water, where it continues to produce sound of the same
frequency.
State and explain how the wavelength of the sound wave in water compares with the
wavelength determined in (b)(i).
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 8]
5 (a) State how a longitudinal wave differs from a transverse wave.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(b) A sound wave of frequency 7.5 kHz travels through a steel beam at a speed of 6100 m / s.
(i) Calculate the wavelength of this sound wave in the steel beam.
wavelength = ............................................... [2]
(ii) The sound wave passes from the end of the beam into air.
State
1. the effect on the speed of the sound,
............................................................................................................................... [1]
2. the effect on the wavelength of the sound.
............................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 6]
6 (a) Two types of seismic waves are produced by earthquakes. They are called P-waves and
S-waves. P-waves are longitudinal and S-waves are transverse.
(i) Explain what is meant by the terms longitudinal and transverse.
longitudinal ........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
transverse ..........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
[2]
(ii) State another example of
1. a longitudinal wave, ....................................................................................................
2. a transverse wave. .....................................................................................................

[2]
(iii) A seismic wave has a speed of 7.2 km / s and a frequency of 30 Hz.
Calculate its wavelength.
wavelength = ................................................. [2]
(b) Fig. 5.1 shows an electric bell ringing in a sealed glass chamber containing air.
to vacuum pump
bell
Fig. 5.1
A student hears the bell ringing. The air is then removed from the chamber.
State and explain any change in the sound heard by the student.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 8]
7 (a) Fig. 5.1 shows an aerial view of wavefronts passing from the open sea into an outer
harbour.
open sea
outer harbour direction of

wall wave travel
outer harbour
inner harbour
wall
inner harbour
Fig. 5.1
(i) The wavefronts in the outer harbour are curving at their ends.
Name the process that is occurring at the entrance to the harbour.
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) On Fig. 5.1, carefully complete the wave pattern as the wavefronts progress through
the outer harbour and into the inner harbour. Show the rest of the wave pattern in
the outer harbour and three wavefronts in the inner harbour. [3]
(b) Fig. 5.2 shows an aerial view of wavefronts in deep water approaching a region of
shallow water where they travel more slowly.
deep water shallow water
direction of
wave travel
interface
Fig. 5.2
(i) Name the process that occurs as the wavefronts pass from deep to shallow water.
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Complete Fig. 5.2 to show possible positions of the five wavefronts in the shallow
water. [2]
[Total: 7]
1 (a) Fig. 7.1 shows the surface of water in a tank.
barrier
Fig. 7.1
Straight wavefronts are produced at the left-hand end of the tank and travel towards a
gap in a barrier. Curved wavefronts travel away from the gap.
(i) Name the process that causes the wavefronts to spread out at the gap.
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) Suggest a cause of the reduced spacing of the wavefronts to the right of the barrier.
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(iii) State how the pattern of wavefronts to the right of the barrier changes when the
gap is made narrower.
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) Fig. 7.2 shows a wave travelling, in the direction of the arrow, along a rope.
2.4 m
Fig. 7.2
(i) Explain why the wave shown in Fig. 7.2 is described as a transverse wave.
..................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) The speed of the wave along the rope is 3.2 m / s.
frequency = .................................................. [3]
[Total: 7]
2 (a) Draw a straight line from each wave to the most appropriate speed on the right.
wave speed
15 m / s
(1.5 × 10 m / s)
300 m / s
(3 × 102 m / s)
light in air
1500 m / s
(1.5 × 103 m / s)
sound in air
1 500 000 m / s
(1.5 × 106 m / s)
sound in water
300 000 000 m / s
(3 × 108 m / s)
1 500 000 000 m / s

(1.5 × 109 m / s)
[3]
(b) Fig. 6.1 shows a railway-line testing-team checking a continuous rail of length 120 m.
The diagram is not to scale.
earphone
steel rail hammer

sensor
One tester strikes one end of the rail with a hammer. The other tester hears the sound
transmitted through the air and transmitted through the rail. He hears the two sounds at
different times.
The speed of sound in steel is 5000 m / s.
Calculate the time difference, using your value from (a) for the speed of sound in air.
time difference = .................................................. [4]
[Total: 7]
3 (a) A wave passes along the surface of the water in a ripple tank. Describe the motion of a
molecule on the surface as the wave passes.
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) Fig. 7.1 shows a view from above of water waves approaching a narrow gap in a barrier.
The water on both sides of the barrier has the same depth.
barrier with
narrow gap
direction of
water waves
Fig. 7.1
(i) On Fig. 7.1, sketch the pattern of waves in the region to the right of the barrier. [2]
(ii) State the process by which waves arrive at point P to the right of the barrier.
.............................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) The waves approaching the barrier in Fig. 7.1 have a wavelength of 1.4 cm and travel at
a speed of 12 cm / s.
Calculate the frequency of the waves.
frequency = ................................................. [2]
[Total: 6]
4 Fig. 5.1 shows a view from above of waves on the surface of water in a water tank.
region Q B C
region P
Fig. 5.1
The wavefront AB is travelling in region P towards region Q, where the water is shallower
and the waves travel more slowly.
(a) Some time later, the wavefront has moved into region Q.
CD, CE and CF are suggested positions of the new wavefront.
(i) State which is the correct position of the new wavefront.
..................................................................................................................................
(ii) Explain your answer to (i).
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
[4]
(b) Fig. 5.2 shows the waves after a change is made to the way the tank is set up, and the
experiment is repeated.
region Q B C
region P
Fig. 5.2
The wave from position AB in region P now moves to position CG in region Q.
State the change that has been made and explain your reasoning.
change .............................................................................................................................
explanation ......................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 6]
5 (a) The speed of light in air is known to be 3.0 × 108 m / s.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[4]
frequency = ...........................................................[2]
warning time = ...........................................................[4]
[Total: 10]
6 (a) (i) A long rope, fixed at one end, is being used by a student to demonstrate transverse
waves.
State what the student does to the rope to produce the transverse wave.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) Fig. 6.1 shows a section of the rope when the transverse wave is present.
Fig. 6.1
On Fig. 6.1, show
1. a distance, labelled λ, corresponding to the wavelength of the wave,
2. a distance, labelled A, corresponding to the amplitude of the wave. [2]
(iii) Suggest what the student could do to reduce the wavelength of the wave.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) The diagram in Fig. 6.2 represents waves on the surface of water in a ripple tank. The waves
are travelling from deep water across a boundary into shallow water.
deep water shallow

water
Fig. 6.2
Explain how the diagram shows that water waves travel more slowly in shallow water than in
deep water.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [3]
[Total: 7]
1 (a) Fig. 6.1 shows the position of layers of air, at one moment, as a sound wave of constant
frequency passes through the air. Compressions are labelled C. Rarefactions are labelled R.
C R
Fig. 6.1
(i) State how Fig. 6.1 would change if
1. the sound had a higher frequency,
................................................................................................................................[1]
2. the sound were louder.
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................[2]
(ii) On Fig. 6.1, draw a line marked with arrows at each end to show the wavelength of the
sound. [1]
(b) In an experiment to measure the speed of sound in steel, a steel pipe of length 200 m is
struck at one end with a hammer. A microphone at the other end of the pipe is connected
to an accurate timer. The timer records a delay of 0.544 s between the arrival of the sound
transmitted by the steel pipe and the sound transmitted by the air in the pipe.
The speed of sound in air is 343 m / s. Calculate the speed of sound in steel.
speed of sound in steel = ...........................................................[3]
[Total: 7]
2 Some plane waves travel on the surface of water in a tank. They pass from a region of deep
water into a region of shallow water. Fig. 6.1 shows what the waves look like from above.
boundary
waves move
this way
deep shallow
water water
Fig. 6.1
(a) State what happens at the boundary, if anything, to
(i) the frequency of the waves,
............................................................................................................................ [1]
(ii) the speed of the waves,
............................................................................................................................ [1]
(iii) the wavelength of the waves.
............................................................................................................................ [1]
(b) The waves have a speed of 0.12 m / s in the deep water. Wave crests are 0.08 m apart in
the deep water.
Calculate the frequency of the source producing the waves. State the equation that you
use.
frequency = ................................................ [3]
(c) Fig. 6.2 shows identical waves moving towards the boundary at an angle.
boundary
A B
waves move
this way
deep shallow
water water
Fig. 6.2
On Fig. 6.2, draw carefully the remainder of waves A and B, plus the two previous waves
which reached the shallow water. You will need to use your ruler to do this. [3]
[Total: 9]
3 (a) A small object S is dipped repeatedly into water near a flat reflecting surface.
Fig. 10.1 gives an instantaneous view from above of the position of part of the waves
produced.
reflecting
surface
Fig. 10.1
On Fig. 10.1,
(i) put a clear dot at the point from which the reflected waves appear to come (label the
dot R),
(ii) draw the reflected portion of each of the three waves shown. [3]
(b) Fig. 10.2 shows a small object P in front of a plane mirror M.
Fig. 10.2
On Fig. 10.2, carefully draw two rays that show how the mirror forms the image of object P.
Label the image I. [3]
[Total: 6]
4 Fig. 7.1 shows a scale drawing of plane waves approaching a gap in a barrier.
direction of travel
of plane waves
barrier
Fig. 7.1
(a) On Fig. 7.1, draw in the pattern of the waves after they have passed the gap. [3]
(b) The waves approaching the barrier have a wavelength of 2.5 cm and a speed of 20 cm/s.
Calculate the frequency of the waves.
frequency = ................................................ [2]
(c) State the frequency of the diffracted waves.
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 6]
5 Fig. 7.1 is a drawing of a student’s attempt to show the diffraction pattern of water waves that
have passed through a narrow gap in a barrier.
barrier with
narrow gap
direction of
water waves
Fig. 7.1
(a) State two things that are wrong with the wave pattern shown to the right of the barrier.
1. ......................................................................................................................................
2. ..................................................................................................................................[2]
(b) In the space below, sketch the wave pattern when the gap in the barrier is made five
times wider.
[2]
(c) The waves approaching the barrier have a wavelength of 1.2 cm and a frequency of
8.0 Hz.
Calculate the speed of the water waves.
speed =..................................[2]
[ Total :6 ]
6 Fig. 6.1 shows the diffraction of waves by a narrow gap.
P is a wavefront that has passed through the gap.
Fig. 6.1
(a) On Fig. 6.1, draw three more wavefronts to the right of the gap. [3]
(b) The waves travel towards the gap at a speed of 3 x 108 m/s and have a frequency of
5 x 1014 Hz. Calculate the wavelength of these waves.
wavelength = ................................ [3]
[Total : 6]
1 (a) Fig. 6.1 represents the waveform of a sound wave. The wave is travelling at constant speed.
displacement
of particles
distance
along wave
Fig. 6.1
(i) On Fig. 6.1,
1. label with the letter X the marked distance corresponding to the amplitude of the
wave, [1]
2. label with the letter Y the marked distance corresponding to the wavelength of the
wave. [1]
(ii) State what happens to the amplitude and the wavelength of the wave if
1. the loudness of the sound is increased at constant pitch,
amplitude ...................................................................................................................
wavelength .................................................................................................................
[1]
2. the pitch of the sound is increased at constant loudness.
amplitude ...................................................................................................................
wavelength .................................................................................................................
[1]
(b) A ship uses pulses of sound to measure the depth of the sea beneath the ship. A sound pulse
is transmitted into the sea and the echo from the sea-bed is received after 54 ms. The speed
of sound in seawater is 1500 m / s.
Calculate the depth of the sea beneath the ship.
depth = ...........................................................[3]
[Total: 7]
2 (a) A sound wave in air consists of alternate compressions and rarefactions along its path.
(i) Explain how a compression differs from a rarefaction.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) Explain, in terms of compressions, what is meant by
1. the wavelength of the sound,
....................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................[1]
2. the frequency of the sound.
....................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) At night, bats emit pulses of sound to detect obstacles and prey. The speed of sound in air is
340 m / s.
(i) A bat emits a pulse of sound of wavelength 0.0085 m.
Calculate the frequency of the sound.
frequency = ...........................................................[2]
(ii) State why this sound cannot be heard by human beings.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(iii) The pulse of sound hits a stationary object and is reflected back to the bat. The pulse is
received by the bat 0.12 s after it was emitted.
Calculate the distance travelled by the pulse of sound during this time.
distance = ...........................................................[2]
PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com [Total: 8]
3 (a) Fig. 6.1 shows an object O placed in front of a plane mirror M. Two rays from the object to 3
mirror are shown.
Fig. 6.1
(i) On Fig. 6.1, for one of the rays shown,
1. draw the normal to the mirror,
2. mark the angle of incidence. Label this angle X.

[2]
(ii) On Fig. 6.1, draw
1. the reflected rays for both incident rays,
2. construction lines to locate the image of O. Label this image I.

[2]
(b) In Fig. 6.2, circular wavefronts from a point source in a tank of water strike a straight barrier.
barrier
source
Fig. 6.2
(i) The reflected wavefronts seem to come from a single point.
On Fig. 6.2, mark a dot to show the position of this point. Label this point C. [1]
(ii) Draw, as accurately as you can, the reflected circular wavefronts. [2]
[Total: 7]
4 (a) A police car siren emits sound waves that vary in pitch.
Tick two boxes that apply to the sound waves emitted by the siren.
electromagnetic
longitudinal
transverse
visible
frequency 0.1–10 Hz
frequency 100–10 000 Hz
frequency 100 000–1 000 000 Hz

[2]
(b) Fig. 7.1 is a top view of one wavefront of a water wave before it strikes a hard boundary.
boundary
direction of travel
of wavefront wavefront
Fig. 7.1
(i) Name the process that occurs as the wavefront strikes the boundary.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Explain, in terms of wave theory, what occurs as the wavefront strikes the boundary.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii) State whether there is an increase, a decrease or no change in the wavelength of the
wave after it strikes the boundary.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iv) The speed of the wave is 3.0 m / s and its wavelength 7.0 cm.
frequency = ............................................... [2]
[Total: 8]
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
Fig. 7.1
laboratory?
............................................................................................................................ [1]
............................................................................................................................ [1]
laboratory.
speed of sound = ................................................ [2]
............................................................................................................................ [1]
longitudinal
transverse
electromagnetic
mechanical
[3]
[Total: 9]
1 (a) (i) A ray of light passes through a length of curved optical fibre.
Draw a diagram showing the fibre and the path of the ray of light.
[1]
(ii) Describe one use of optical fibres in medicine. You may draw a diagram.
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................ [3]
(b) Draw a straight line from each wave on the left to the most appropriate speed.
90 m / s
(9 × 10)
6000 m / s
light in air (6 × 103)
100 000 m / s
(1 × 105)
microwaves in
a vacuum
1 000 000 m / s
(1 × 106)
300 000 000 m / s

sound in steel
(3 × 108)
60 000 000 000 m / s

(6 × 1010)
[3]
(c) The refractive index of a block of glass is 1.5.
Use your value for the speed of light from (b) to calculate the speed of light in this block.
speed = ................................................................. [2]
[Total: 9]
2 (a) Explain what is meant by
(i) total internal reflection,
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) critical angle.
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) Fig. 7.1 shows a ray of light, travelling in air, incident on a glass prism.
60°
30°
Fig. 7.1
(i) The speed of light in air is 3.0 × 108 m / s. Its speed in the glass is 2.0 × 108 m / s.
Calculate the refractive index of the glass.
refractive index = ...........................................................[2]
(ii) Show that the critical angle for the glass-air boundary is 42°.
[1]
(iii) On Fig. 7.1, draw carefully, without calculation, the continuation of the ray through the
prism and into the air. [3]
[Total: 8]
3 (a) Fig. 7.1 represents an object O placed in front of a converging lens.
O
P Q R S
Fig. 7.1
(i) State a full description of the image I.
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) Using the letters on Fig. 7.1, identify the focal length of the lens.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) On Fig. 7.1, draw an eye suitably placed to view the image I. [1]
(b) Fig. 7.2 shows an object O placed to the left of a converging lens. A principal focus of the lens
is at the position marked F.
Fig. 7.2
(i) On Fig. 7.2, draw two rays to locate the image of object O. Draw the image.
(ii) On Fig. 7.2, draw one other ray from the upper tip of O to the image.
[4]
[Total: 8]
4 The refractive index n of glass in air is 1.5.
(a) (i) State the equation that relates the speed of light in air va, the speed of light in glass vg
and n.
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) The speed of light in air is 3.0 × 108 m / s.
Calculate the speed of light in glass.
speed = .........................................................[1]
(b) Light travelling in glass strikes the edge of the glass. Fig. 6.1 shows a ray of light at an angle
of 41° to the normal.
normal
air
glass
41°
Fig. 6.1
(i) The light passes from the glass into the air.
Calculate the angle that the ray makes with the normal in the air.
angle = .........................................................[2]
(ii) State what happens to light that strikes the edge of the glass at an angle to the normal
much larger than 41°.
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(c) Describe one example of how optical fibres are used in medicine.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 7]
5 A glass, converging lens is used as a magnifying glass to observe a red ant.
(a) Fig. 6.1 shows the lens, the principal axis, and the two principal focuses F1 and F2.
F1 F2
principal axis
lens
Fig. 6.1
(i) 1. On Fig. 6.1, mark a point on the principal axis, labelled A, to indicate a suitable
position for the ant.
2. On Fig. 6.1, mark a point on the principal axis, labelled E, to indicate a suitable
position for the observer’s eye.
[1]
(ii) Tick one of the boxes to indicate where, on the principal axis, the image of the ant is
located.
to the left of F1
between F1 and the lens
within the lens
between the lens and F2
to the right of F2
[1]
(iii) Underline two words in the list that describe the image produced by the magnifying
glass.
diminished inverted real

r upright virtual
[2]
(b) (i) The red light from the ant passes into the lens.
As the light enters the lens, state what happens to
1. its wavelength,
................................................................................................................................[1]
2. its frequency.
................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) State how the wavelength of violet light in air differs from the wavelength of red light in
air.
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
[Total: 7]
6 (a) Fig. 7.1 shows a convex lens being used to produce an image of an object.
principal
focus
image object
Fig. 7.1
(i) Place three ticks in the table that describe this image.
can only be formed on a screen

diminished
enlarged
inverted
real
same size
upright
virtual
[3]
(ii) On Fig. 7.1, mark a letter E to indicate a possible position for an eye to be placed to
observe this image. [1]
(iii) State an application in which a convex lens is used in this way.
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) In the space below, draw a ray diagram to locate the image of an object of height 1.0 cm
placed 5.0 cm from a convex lens of focal length 2.0 cm. Draw your diagram full size. You are
advised to locate the lens roughly in the centre of the space. Label the image.
[3]
[Total: 8]
1 (a) Fig. 8.1 is a ray diagram of a convex lens being used as a magnifying glass to produce a
virtual image.
Fig. 8.1
On Fig. 8.1,
(i) label the object O,
(ii) label the image I,
(iii) label a principal focus F,
(iv) put arrows on the two rays to indicate their directions.

[4]
(b) Fig. 8.2 shows a ray of light in air incident on an interface with glass. The refractive index of
glass is 1.5.
glass
air
incident ray
Fig. 8.2
On Fig. 8.2, accurately draw the ray as it travels in the glass. You will need to take a
measurement from Fig. 8.2 and carry out an appropriate calculation. Show your working.
[3]
[Total: 7]
2 (a) The refractive index of a type of glass is 1.6.
Calculate the critical angle for light in this type of glass.
critical angle = ...........................................................[3]
(b) A waterproof laser is immersed in water. Fig. 7.1 shows the laser shining light up towards the
horizontal surface of the water.
air
water normal
e
beam of light
movement of laser
laser
Fig. 7.1
Initially, the angle θ is much less than the critical angle for this light in water.
The laser moves and θ gradually increases until it is much greater than the critical angle.
Describe, for different angles of the laser, what happens to the light beam after it hits the
surface.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[4]
[Total: 7]
3 Fig. 6.1 shows a glass block ABCD surrounded by air. A ray of red light, PQ, is incident on face CD
of the block.
A B
D Q C
Fig. 6.1
(a) On Fig. 6.1,
(i) draw the normal at Q and the refracted ray inside the block so that it meets face AB,
(ii) draw the ray emerging from face AB of the block and the normal where the ray emerges,
(iii) between the rays and the normals you have drawn, label two equal angles X.
[3]
(b) The angle of incidence of another red ray is 65°. The refractive index of the glass of block
ABCD for red light is 1.62.
(i) Calculate the angle of refraction in the glass for this ray.
angle = ........................................................ [2]
(ii) The speed of light in air is 3.0 × 108 m / s.
Calculate the speed of the red light in the glass.
speed = ........................................................ [2]
(c) For the same angle of incidence, the angle of refraction of red light in glass is greater than the
angle of refraction of violet light.
State the term which describes the separation of red and violet refracted rays in glass.
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 8]
4 (a) Fig. 6.1 shows a ray of light incident on the surface of a glass block.
Fig. 6.1
On Fig. 6.1, accurately draw the reflected ray. [2]
(b) Fig. 6.2 shows a ray of light incident on a glass prism.
v w x
u z y
Fig. 6.2
Put one tick only in each line of the table to indicate which of the angles labelled in Fig. 6.2
are the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction.
u v w x y z
angle of incidence
angle of refraction
[2]
(c) The refractive index of water is 1.33. A ray of light passes from water into air. The angle of
incidence at the water-air interface is 30 °.
Calculate the angle of refraction.
angle of refraction = ........................................................ [3]
(d) Fig. 6.3 shows rays of violet and red light incident on a prism. The dashed line shows the path
taken by the ray of violet light in the prism.
path of
rays of violet
and red light
Fig. 6.3
On Fig. 6.3, draw and label the path that the ray of red light takes in the prism. A calculation is
not required. [2]
[Total: 9]
5 A lamp in a large room is suspended below a horizontal mirror that is fixed to the ceiling. Fig. 8.1 is
a scale diagram of the lamp and mirror.
reflecting surface of mirror
lamp
Fig. 8.1
An image of the lamp is formed by the mirror.
(a) (i) On Fig. 8.1, draw two rays from the centre of the lamp that strike the mirror. Use these
rays to locate the image. Label the image I. [3]
(ii) State two characteristics of this image.
1. .......................................................................................................................................
2. .......................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) Suggest an advantage of positioning a mirror above the lamp.
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 6]
6 (a) Fig. 6.1 shows an object O placed in front of a plane mirror M. Two rays from the object to the
mirror are shown.
Fig. 6.1
(i) On Fig. 6.1, for one of the rays shown,
1. draw the normal to the mirror,
2. mark the angle of incidence. Label this angle X.

[2]
(ii) On Fig. 6.1, draw
1. the reflected rays for both incident rays,
2. construction lines to locate the image of O. Label this image I.

[2]
(b) In Fig. 6.2, circular wavefronts from a point source in a tank of water strike a straight barrier.
barrier
source
Fig. 6.2
(i) The reflected wavefronts seem to come from a single point.
On Fig. 6.2, mark a dot to show the position of this point. Label this point C. [1]
(ii) Draw, as accurately as you can, the reflected circular wavefronts. [2]
[Total: 7]
7 Fig. 11.1 shows part of the path of a ray of light PQ travelling in an optical fibre.
glass
Fig. 11.1
(a) On Fig. 11.1, carefully complete the path of the ray of light, until it leaves this section of the
optical fibre. [2]
(b) The material of an optical fibre has a refractive index of 1.52.
Calculate the critical angle.
critical angle = ................................................[2]
(c) (i) State what sort of reflection takes place within an optical fibre.
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Explain your answer.
...........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 6]
1 (a) Fig. 7.1 shows a ray of monochromatic red light, in air, incident on a glass block at an angle of
incidence of 50°.
50°
Fig. 7.1
(i) State what is meant by monochromatic light.
.......................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) For this red ray the refractive index of the glass is 1.52. Calculate the angle of refraction
for the ray.
angle of refraction = ...........................................................[2]
(iii) Without measuring angles, use a ruler to draw the approximate path of the ray in the
glass block and emerging from the block. [2]
(b) The red ray in Fig. 7.1 is replaced by a ray of monochromatic violet light. For this violet ray the
refractive index of the glass is 1.54. The speed of light in air is 3.00 × 108 m / s.
(i) Calculate the speed of the violet light in the glass block.
speed = ...........................................................[2]
(ii) Use a ruler to draw the approximate path of this violet ray in the glass block and emerging
from the block. Make sure this path is separated from the path drawn for the red light in
(a)(iii). Mark both parts of this path with the letter V. [2]
[Total: 9]
2 Fig. 6.1 shows an enlarged view of a spherical raindrop, centre O.
A
air
raindrop
Fig. 6.1
(a) On Fig. 6.1, draw a ray in the air striking the raindrop at A with an angle of incidence of 59°
and coming from the left. [1]
(b) The water in the raindrop has a refractive index of 1.33.
(i) Show by calculation that the angle of refraction at A is about 40°.
[2]
(ii) On Fig. 6.1, draw the path of the refracted ray to the point where it strikes the inner
surface of the raindrop. Label this point B. [1]
(c) The ray is partially reflected at B.
Draw the normal and the reflected ray at B. [1]
(d) Extend the reflected ray to strike the surface of the raindrop again. At this point it is partially
refracted out of the raindrop. Draw the approximate path of this ray as it emerges into the air.
[1]
[Total: 6]
3 Fig. 9.1 represents a ray of monochromatic light passing through a rectangular glass block.
45°
glass
26° block
(a) What is meant by the term monochromatic?
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) Use the information on Fig. 9.1 to determine the refractive index of the glass.
refractive index = ...........................................................[2]
(c) The angle α on Fig. 9.1 is not drawn with the correct value.
State the correct value of angle α.
α = ...........................................................[1]
(d) After the ray has left the glass block, it passes into a block of ice, whose refractive index is
1.31.
How does the speed of light in ice compare with
(i) the speed of light in air, .....................................................................................................
(ii) the speed of light in glass. .................................................................................................

[2]
[Total: 6]
4 A ray of monochromatic light passes through the glass prism shown in Fig. 6.1.
90°
45°
ray
A B
61°
45° glass
air C
Fig. 6.1
(a) State what is meant by the term monochromatic.
..........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) State the name given to what happens to the ray at A.
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c) Use the values on the diagram to calculate the angle of refraction at A (The angles in a
triangle add up to 180°).
angle of refraction = ................................................ [1]
(d) Calculate the refractive index of the glass.
refractive index = ................................................ [3]
(e) Explain why the ray does not emerge into the air at B, but does emerge at C.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [2]
(f) An identical prism is stuck to the first prism using a transparent adhesive with the same
refractive index as the glass. This is shown in Fig. 6.2.
glass
ray
A B
glass
air
Fig. 6.2
On Fig. 6.2, draw the path of the ray after it has reached B and until it has passed into
the air again. [3]
[Total: 11]
1 A laser produces a ray of blue light of wavelength 4.0 × 10–7 m (0.000 000 40 m).
(a) (i) State the speed of light in a vacuum.
speed = ................................................. [1]
(ii) Calculate the frequency of the light produced by the laser.
frequency = ................................................. [2]
(b) The ray of blue light passes from air into a glass block. Fig. 6.1 shows the ray making an
angle of 35° with the side of the block.
ray
air 35°
glass
Fig. 6.1
(i) State the angle of incidence of the ray of blue light on the glass.
angle of incidence = ................................................. [1]
(ii) Glass has a refractive index of 1.5.
Calculate the angle of refraction of the light in the glass.
angle of refraction = ................................................. [2]

[Total: 6]
(a) The speed of light in air is known to be 3.0 × 108 m / s.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[4]
frequency = ...........................................................[2]
warning time = ...........................................................[4]
[Total: 10]
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
Fig. 7.1
laboratory?
............................................................................................................................ [1]
............................................................................................................................ [1]
laboratory.
speed of sound = ................................................ [2]
............................................................................................................................ [1]
longitudinal
transverse
electromagnetic
mechanical
[3]
[Total: 9]
4 (a) A small object S is dipped repeatedly into water near a flat reflecting surface.
Fig. 10.1 gives an instantaneous view from above of the position of part of the waves
produced.
reflecting
surface
Fig. 10.1
On Fig. 10.1,
(i) put a clear dot at the point from which the reflected waves appear to come (label the
dot R),
(ii) draw the reflected portion of each of the three waves shown. [3]
(b) Fig. 10.2 shows a small object P in front of a plane mirror M.
Fig. 10.2
On Fig. 10.2, carefully draw two rays that show how the mirror forms the image of object P.
Label the image I. [3]
[Total: 6]
5 Fig. 6.1 shows an optical fibre. XY is a ray of light passing along the fibre.
Y fibre
Fig. 6.1
(a) On Fig. 6.1, continue the ray XY until it passes Z. [1]
(b) Explain why the ray does not leave the fibre at Y.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................[2]
(c) The light in the optical fibre has a wavelength of 3.2 x 10–7 m and is travelling at a speed
of 1.9 x 108 m/s.
(i) Calculate the frequency of the light.
frequency = …………………...
(ii) The speed of light in air is 3.0 x 108 m/s.

Calculate the refractive index of the material from which the fibre is made.
refractive index = …………………...

[4]
[Total : 7]
6 Fig. 6.1 shows wavefronts of light crossing the edge of a glass block from air into glass.
air
direction in which
wavefronts
are moving
glass
edge of glass
Fig. 6.1
(a) On Fig. 6.1
(i) draw in an incident ray, a normal and a refracted ray that meet at the same point on
the edge of the glass block,
(ii) label the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction,
(iii) measure the two angles and record their values.
angle of incidence = ..................................
angle of refraction = ..................................

[4]
(b) Calculate the refractive index of the glass.
refractive index = ..................................[3]
[Total : 7 ]
7 In a thunderstorm, both light and sound waves are generated at the same time.
(a) How fast does the light travel towards an observer?
speed = .................................. [1]
(b) Explain why the sound waves always reach the observer after the light waves.
......................................................................................................................................[1]
(c) The speed of sound waves in air may be determined by experiment using a source that
generates light waves and sound waves at the same time.
(i) Draw a labelled diagram of the arrangement of suitable apparatus for the
experiment.
(ii) State the readings you would take.
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
(iii) Explain how you would calculate the speed of sound in air from your readings.
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
[4]
[Total : 6]
8 Fig. 7.1 is drawn to full scale. The focal length of the lens is 5.0 cm.
axis
Fig. 7.1
(a) On Fig. 7.1, mark each principal focus of the lens with a dot and the letter F. [2]
(b) On Fig. 7.1, draw two rays from the tip of the object O that appear to pass through the
tip of the image. [2]
(c) On Fig. 7.1, draw the image and label it with the letter I. [1]
(d) Explain why the base of the image lies on the axis.
..........................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(e) State a practical use of a convex lens when used as shown in Fig. 7.1.
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total : 7]
9 (a) Fig. 6.1 shows the results of an experiment to find the critical angle for light in a semi-
circular glass block.
air Q
glass
Fig. 6.1
The ray of light PO hits the glass at O at an angle of incidence of 0°.

Q is the centre of the straight side of the block.
(i) Measure the critical angle of the glass from Fig. 6.1.
critical angle = .........................
(ii) Explain what is meant by the critical angle of the light in the glass.
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
[3]
(b) Fig. 6.2 shows another ray passing through the same block.
Fig. 6.2
The speed of the light between W and Q is 3.0 × 108 m/s. The speed of the light
between Q and Y is 2.0 × 108 m/s.
(i) State the speed of the light between Y and Z.
speed = ......................................
(ii) Write down an expression, in terms of the speeds of the light, that may be used to
find the refractive index of the glass. Determine the value of the refractive index.
refractive index = ........................
(iii) Explain why there is no change of direction of ray QY as it passes out of the glass.
...................................................................................................................................
(iv) What happens to the wavelength of the light as it passes out of the glass?
...................................................................................................................................
[5]
[Total : 8]
1 Fig. 7.1 and Fig. 7.2 show wavefronts of light approaching a plane mirror and a rectangular
glass block, respectively.
direction of travel
of wavefronts
mirror
Fig. 7.1
direction of travel
of wavefronts
glass block
Fig. 7.2
(a) On Fig. 7.1 and on Fig. 7.2 draw wavefronts to show what happens after the waves
strike the surface. [4]
(b) In Fig. 7.2, the waves approaching the block have a speed of 3.0 × 108 m/s and an angle
of incidence of 70°. The refractive index of the glass of the block is 1.5.
(i) Calculate the speed of light waves in the block.
speed = ................................................ [2]
(ii) Calculate the angle of refraction in the block.
angle = ................................................ [2]
[Total: 8]
2 Fig. 6.1 shows an object, the tip of which is labelled O, placed near a lens L.
The two principal foci of the lens are F1 and F2.
L O
F2 F1
Fig. 6.1
(a) On Fig. 6.1, draw the paths of two rays from the tip of the object so that they pass
through the lens and continue beyond.
Complete the diagram to locate the image of the tip of the object. Draw in the whole
image and label it I. [2]
(b) State two changes to the image when the object is moved
(i) a small distance closer to the lens,
1. ...............................................................................................................................
2. ......................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) to a position between F1 and the lens.
1. ...............................................................................................................................
2. ......................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 6]
3 Fig. 6.1 shows two rays of monochromatic light, one entering the prism along the normal DE
and the second one along PQ.
E
F
P 30°
R
42°
A C
Fig. 6.1
(a) State what is meant by monochromatic light.
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) The refractive index of the glass of the prism is 1.49. The ray EF is refracted at F. Use
information from Fig. 6.1 to calculate the angle of refraction at F.
(c) On Fig. 6.1, draw in the refracted ray, starting from F. [1]
(d) State how the refraction, starting at F, would be different if the monochromatic ray were
replaced by a ray of white light.
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(e) The critical angle for the glass of the prism is just over 42°. State the approximate angle
of refraction for the ray striking BC at R.
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
(f) Another monochromatic ray, not shown in Fig. 6.1, passes through the prism and strikes
BC at an angle of incidence of 50°. State what happens to this ray at the point where it
strikes BC.
.................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 8]
4 Fig. 6.1 shows a cross-section through a swimming pool.
air
A B
40° 50°
water
lamp
Fig. 6.1
(a) A ray of monochromatic light from a lamp at the bottom of the pool strikes the surface at
A, as shown.
(i) State what is meant by monochromatic light.
........................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) The water in the swimming pool has a refractive index of 1.33.
Using information from Fig. 6.1, calculate the angle of refraction at A.
(iii) On Fig. 6.1, draw the refracted ray. [1]
(b) The critical angle for the water-air surface is 48.8°.
Another ray of monochromatic light from the lamp strikes the surface at B, as shown in
Fig. 6.1.
(i) State and explain what happens to the ray after reaching B.
.................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii) On Fig. 6.1, draw this ray. [1]
[Total: 8]
5 Fig. 6.1 shows a rectangular glass block ABCD.
o
60
A B
E
D C
Fig. 6.1
(a) The ray FE is partly reflected and partly refracted at E.
(i) On Fig. 6.1, draw in the approximate path of the refracted ray, within and beyond
the block. Label the ray refracted ray. [1]
(ii) On Fig. 6.1, draw in the path of the reflected ray. Label the ray reflected ray. [1]
(b) A second ray, almost parallel to AE, strikes the block at E and is partly refracted at an
angle of refraction of 43°.
(i) State an approximate value for the angle of incidence at E.
................................................. [1]
(ii) State an approximate value for the critical angle for the light in the glass block.
................................................. [1]
(iii) Calculate an approximate value for the refractive index of the glass of the block.
refractive index = ................................................ [2]
(c) The speed of the light along ray FE is 3.0 x 108 m/s. Calculate the speed of the refracted
light in the glass block.
speed = ................................................ [2]
[Total: 8]
1 Light enters a glass fibre from air at an angle of incidence of 62 °. The angle of refraction in the
glass is 36 °.
(a) The speed of light in air is 3.0 × 108 m / s.
Determine the speed of light in the glass fibre.
speed = ........................................................ [4]
(b) Describe how glass fibres are used in communications technology.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................[3]
[Total: 7]
2 Fig. 7.1 shows the principal axis PQ of a converging lens and the centre line XY of the lens.
P Q
Fig. 7.1
An object 2.0 cm high is placed 2.0 cm to the left of the lens. The converging lens has a
focal length of 3.0 cm.
(a) On Fig. 7.1, draw a full-scale diagram to find the distance of the image from the lens,
and the height of the image.
distance of image from the lens = ......................................................
height of image = ......................................................

[5]
(b) State and explain whether the image in (a) is real or virtual.
..........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [1]
[Total: 6]
3 (a) Fig. 6.1 shows two rays from a point object P incident on a water surface.
An observer sees the image of P produced by reflection at the surface of the water.
water
air
surface
water
Fig. 6.1
On Fig. 6.1, draw the reflected rays and complete the diagram to locate the position of
the image. Label the position of the image I. [2]
(b) Fig. 6.2 shows two rays from a point object Q incident on another water surface.
An observer sees the image of Q produced by refraction at the surface of the water.
water
air surface
water
Fig. 6.2
On Fig. 6.2, draw possible refracted rays and complete the diagram to locate a possible
position of the image. Label the position of the image J.
You do not need to calculate any angles. [2]
(c) The refractive index of water is 1.33.
Calculate the critical angle.
critical angle = .................................................. [2]
(d) Describe, with a diagram, a medical use of optical fibres.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 9]
4 The frequency of the monochromatic light produced by a laser is 4.7 × 1014 Hz.
A ray of light from the laser passes from a vacuum, where the speed of light is 3.0 × 108 m / s,
into a fibre-optic cable.
(a) State
(i) what is meant by monochromatic,
..................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(ii) the frequency of light from the laser in the fibre-optic cable.
............................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) The speed of light in the fibre-optic cable is 2.0 × 108 m / s.
Calculate
(i) the refractive index of the material from which fibre-optic cable is made,
refractive index = .................................................. [2]
(ii) the wavelength of light from the laser in the fibre-optic cable.
wavelength = .................................................. [2]
[Total: 6]
5 (a) Fig. 7.1 shows a ray diagram of a converging lens forming the image I of the object O.
C D
A B
O
observer’s eye
Fig. 7.1
(i) Put a tick in two boxes in the following list to describe the image formed by the lens
in Fig. 7.1.
description place two ticks in this column

real
virtual
magnified
(enlarged)
same size
diminished
(smaller)
(ii) Which length, on Fig. 7.1, is the focal length of the lens?
Circle one of the lengths below.
[3]
(b) In this question, you will apply the laws of reflection for a plane mirror to a curved mirror.
This mirror is shown in Fig. 7.2. The normal at any point on this mirror is the line from
that point to the point C.
mirror
M
C
Fig. 7.2
Two rays have been drawn from the object O.
On Fig. 7.2,
(i) draw the normal to the mirror at M, [1]

(ii) draw the ray reflected from M, [1]
(iii) draw the ray reflected from P, [1]
(iv) extend the reflected rays back to the right of the mirror and locate the image.
Label this image I. [2]
[Total: 8]
6 A ray of light from a laser passes from air into a clear, semi-circular, plastic block. Fig. 7.1
shows the ray entering the block.
plastic block normal
40°
light ray
Fig. 7.1
The ray continues in the same direction and meets the middle of the opposite surface at an
angle of 40 ° to the normal. The refractive index of the plastic is 1.5.
(a) The ray continues into the air.
Calculate the angle between the normal and the path taken by the light after it leaves
the block.
angle = ................................................. [3]
(b) The frequency of the light produced by this laser is 3.8 × 1014 Hz and its wavelength in
the plastic block is 5.3 × 10–7 m (0.000 53 mm).
Calculate
(i) the speed of light in this plastic,
speed = ................................................. [2]
(ii) the speed of light in air.
speed = ................................................. [2]
(c) Explain why the ray does not change direction as it enters the plastic block.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................... [2]
[Total: 9]
1 Virtual images may be formed by both plane mirrors and by convex lenses.
Fig. 6.1 shows a plane mirror and a convex lens.
F F
Fig. 6.1
(a) On Fig. 6.1, draw rays to locate the approximate positions of the images of the tops of
the two arrow objects O and P.
Label the images. [5]
(b) Both images are virtual.
(i) What is meant by a virtual image?
............................................................................................................................ [1]
(ii) State one other similarity between the two images.
............................................................................................................................ [1]
(iii) State one difference between the two images.
............................................................................................................................ [1]
[Total: 8]
2 Fig. 6.1 shows white light incident at P on a glass prism. Only the refracted red ray PQ is
shown in the prism.
P red ray
Q
t
white ligh
screen
Fig. 6.1
(a) On Fig. 6.1, draw rays to complete the path of the red ray and the whole path of the
violet ray up to the point where they hit the screen. Label the violet ray. [3]
(b) The angle of incidence of the white light is increased to 40°. The refractive index of the
glass for the red light is 1.52.
Calculate the angle of refraction at P for the red light.
angle of refraction = ........................[3]
(c) State the approximate speed of
(i) the white light incident at P, speed = ........................ [1]
(ii) the red light after it leaves the prism at Q. speed = ........................ [1]
[Total : 8]
3 Fig. 6.1 shows a ray of light, from the top of an object PQ, passing through two glass
prisms.
P A B
Q
C
F E
Fig. 6.1
(a) Complete the path through the two prisms of the ray shown leaving Q. [1]
(b) A person looking into the lower prism, at the position indicated by the eye symbol, sees
an image of PQ.
State the properties of this image.
......................................................................................................................................[2]
(c) Explain why there is no change in direction of the ray from P at points A, C, D and F.
..........................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................[1]
(d) The speed of light as it travels from P to A is 3 × 108 m/s and the refractive index of the
prism glass is 1.5.
Calculate the speed of light in the prism.
speed = ........................[2]
(e) Explain why the ray AB reflects through 90° at B and does not pass out of the prism
at B.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................[2]
[ Total : 8 ]
4 Fig. 6.1 shows a ray of light OPQ passing through a semi-circular glass block.
30°
Fig. 6.1
(a) Explain why there is no change in the direction of the ray at P.
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [1]
(b) State the changes, if any, that occur to the speed, wavelength and frequency of the light
as it enters the glass block.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [2]
(c) At Q some of the light in ray OPQ is reflected and some is refracted.
On Fig. 6.1, draw in the approximate positions of the reflected ray and the refracted ray.
Label these rays. [2]
(d) The refractive index for light passing from glass to air is 0.67.
Calculate the angle of refraction of the ray that is refracted at Q into air.
angle = ………………. [3]
[Total : 8 ]
5 (a) Fig. 7.1 shows two rays of light from a point O on an object. These rays are incident on
a plane mirror.
Fig. 7.1
(i) On Fig. 7.1, continue the paths of the two rays after they reach the mirror. Hence
locate the image of the object O. Label the image I. [2]
(ii) Describe the nature of the image I.
...................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................. [2]
(b) Fig. 7.2 is drawn to scale. It shows an object PQ and a convex lens.
position
pos
P convex lens
F F principal
Q axis
princi
principal principal
princi
Fig. 7.2
(i) On Fig. 7.2, draw two rays from the top of the object P that pass through the lens.
Use these rays to locate the top of the image. Label this point T. [3]
(ii) On Fig. 7.2, draw an eye symbol to show the position from which the image T
should be viewed. [1]
[ Total : 8 ]
6 Fig. 6.1 shows a ray PQ of blue light incident on the side of a rectangular glass block.
A B
glass
C D
Q air
Fig. 6.1
(a) (i) By drawing on Fig. 6.1, continue the ray PQ through and beyond the block.
(ii) Mark the angle of incidence at CD with the letter i and the angle of refraction at CD
with the letter r.
[3]
(b) The speed of light in air is 3.0 x 108 m/s and the speed of light in glass is 2.0 x 108 m/s.
(i) Write down a formula that gives the refractive index of glass in terms of the
speeds of light in air and glass.
refractive index =
(ii) Use this formula to calculate the refractive index of glass.
refractive index = …………………

[2]
(c) The frequency of the blue light in ray PQ is 6.0 x 1014 Hz.
Calculate the wavelength of this light in air.
wavelength = ……………..……[2]
[ Total : 7 ]

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1 (a) Two students are measuring the speed of sound.

(i) The speed of sound in sea-water is 1500 m / s.

Calculate the wavelength of the sound in sea-water.

wavelength = ................................................................. [2]

State what happens, if anything, to

• the frequency of the sound, ...............................................................................

• the speed of the sound. .....................................................................................

(i) On Fig. 6.1,

1. the loudness of the sound is increased at constant pitch,

2. the pitch of the sound is increased at constant loudness.

Calculate the depth of the sea beneath the ship.

(ii) Explain, in terms of compressions, what is meant by

1. the wavelength of the sound,

2. the frequency of the sound.

(i) A bat emits a pulse of sound of wavelength 0.0085 m.

Calculate the frequency of the sound.

(ii) State why this sound cannot be heard by human beings.

(a) State how a compression differs from a rarefaction.

For this wave, determine

(i) the wavelength,

(d) Sound waves can also travel in water.

direction of wave travel

(a) State what is meant by a rarefaction.

(i) the wavelength in water of the sound wave,

State what happens to

(i) the frequency,

(ii) the wavelength.

speed of sound in solid

(b) Explain why sound waves are described as longitudinal.

frequency 100–10 000 Hz

frequency 100 000–1 000 000 Hz

Calculate the frequency of the wave.

frequency = ............................................... [2]

1.5 m / s 15 m / s 150 m / s 1 500 m / s 15 000 m / s

(b) Sound travels in water as a series of compressions and rarefactions.

Describe what is meant by a compression and by a rarefaction.

Fig. 7.1 shows a boat using an echo-sounder.

12 m echo pulse of sound

time = ........................................................ [3]

State, in terms of the behaviour of molecules, what is meant by

(c) State the effect on what is heard by a listener when there is

(i) an increase in the amplitude of a sound,

(ii) a decrease in the wavelength of a sound.

Calculate the speed of sound given by this experiment.

speed = .................................................. [3]

(i) the speed of sound in air, .................................................................

(ii) the speed of light in air. ................................................................. [2]

frequency = .......................................................... [2]

(i) Calculate the distance of the thunderstorm from the meteorologist.

(ii) State an assumption you made when calculating this distance.

higher pressure ..........................................................

lower pressure .......................................................... [2]

higher pressure .........................................................................................................................

lower pressure ..........................................................................................................................

(a) A person is some distance away from the storm.

(b) A scientist in a laboratory made the following measurements during a thunderstorm.

speed of sound = ................................................ [2]

(c) Some waves are longitudinal; some waves are transverse.

Some waves are electromagnetic; some waves are mechanical.