Q1.

(a)

Complete the following sentence:

Sound is produced when an object ...............................................

(1)

(b)

Choose words from the list to complete the following sentences:

higher

louder

lower

quieter

(i)

If the frequency is increased, the pitch of the sound becomes ........................

(ii)

If its amplitude is increased, the sound becomes ............................................

(2)

(c)

The diagram shows a pre-natal scan.

(i)

What type of waves are used for pre-natal scanning?

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Explain why we cannot hear these waves.

...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Page 1

Q2.

The table gives the frequencies of sound that different animals can hear.

Animal Lowest frequency it can hear in Hz

Highest frequency it can hear in Hz

Human

64

23 000

Dog

67

45 000

1 000

91 000

Rat

200

76 000

Cat

45

64 000

Tuna

50

1 100

Canary

250

8 000

Chicken

125

2 000

Mouse

(a)

(i)

Which animal can hear the lowest sound frequency?

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Which animal can hear the smallest range of frequencies?

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

(i)

What is the name given to sound frequencies higher than those that humans
can hear?
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Give one industrial use of this type of sound.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

Page 2

Q3.

(a) A student uses a microphone to send different sounds to an oscilloscope. The

diagrams show five traces, A, B, C, D and E, on the oscilloscope. All the traces are
drawn to the same scale.

(i)

Which three diagrams show traces with the same amplitude?

Diagrams .......... , .......... and .......... .
(1)

(ii)

Which two diagrams show traces with the same frequency?

Diagrams .......... and .......... .
(1)

(b)

Page 3

The diagram shows the sound frequencies which some living things can hear.

(i)

What is the widest range of frequencies that a human child can hear?
..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Why can some dog whistles be heard by dogs but not by humans?
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

Page 4

An ultrasound scan can be used to make a picture of a baby in its mothers womb.
An ultrasound transmitter and detector are placed above the mothers womb.
Ultrasound goes into the body of the mother and into the body of the baby.

Use the correct words from the box to complete the sentences.
detector

(i)

reflection

refraction

sound

substance

transmitter

When the ultrasound crosses from one ................................................. to

another,
some ultrasound becomes an echo caused
by ................................................. .

(ii)

This information is collected by the ultrasound .................................................

and made into a picture on a screen.
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

Q4.

(a)

This information is from a science magazine.

Electronic systems can be used to produce ultrasonic waves.

These waves have a frequency higher than the upper limit for hearing in humans.

Complete the sentence by choosing the correct number from the box.

20

Page 5

2000

20 000

200 000

The upper limit for hearing in humans is a frequency of ............................................

Hz.
(1)

(b)

An electronic system produces ultrasound with a frequency of 500 kHz.

What does the symbol kHz stand for?
.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

(i)

State one industrial use for ultrasound.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

State one medical use for ultrasound.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(d)

An ultrasound detector is connected to an oscilloscope.

The diagram shows centimetre squares on an oscilloscope screen. Each horizontal
division represents 2 microseconds.

Calculate the time, in microseconds, between one peak of one ultrasound pulse and
the peak of the next.
.....................................................................................................................................
Time = .............................. microseconds

Page 6

(1)

(e)

Ultrasounds are partially reflected when they reach a boundary between two
different media.
The time taken for the reflection from the boundary to reach the detector can be
seen
from the screen.
What can be calculated from this time interval?
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(f)

Explain what action scientists should take if they find evidence that ultrasonic waves
may be harmful to human health.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Q5.

Page 7

The diagram shows how ultrasonic waves can be used to clean a watch.

Suggest how this method cleans the watch.

...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
(Total 2 marks)

Q6.

(a)

What is ultrasound?

..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

Page 8

The picture shows a pregnant woman having an ultrasound scan and the image
produced by the scan.

To produce the image, a very narrow beam of ultrasound pulses is fired into the
mothers body. The reflected pulses are used to build up the image of the unborn
baby.

(i)

Why is it important to have a very narrow beam of ultrasound waves?

........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Why is it possible to produce a very narrow beam with ultrasound but not with
normal sound waves?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii)

The image produced by ultrasound is not as clear as an image produced by

X-rays. Why is ultrasound used for looking at unborn babies rather than Xrays?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iv)

Page 9

Give two important pieces of information about an unborn baby which can be

gained from the image produced by an ultrasound scan.

1 .....................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
2 .....................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Q7.

(a) A microphone connected to an oscilloscope picks up the sound from a siren.

The trace produced on the oscilloscope screen is shown below.

Describe how the wave changes as it goes across the screen from left to right ().
To gain full marks in this question you should write your ideas in good English. Put
them into a sensible order and use the correct scientific words.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

Page 10

(b)

An African bat produces a sound wave with a frequency of 212 kHz and a
wavelength of 0.0016 m.
(i)

The sound made by the bat is above the limit of human hearing.
What name is given to this type of sound?
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Write down the equation that links frequency, wavelength and wave speed.
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii)

Calculate the speed of this sound wave through the air. Show clearly how you
work out your final answer.
...........................................................................................................................
Wave speed = ............................... m/s
(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q8.

Page 11

The diagram shows an ultrasound monitor being used to scan a fetus.

The table shows the velocity of ultrasound waves in different tissues of the fetus.

Tissue

Velocity of ultrasound in m/s

Amniotic fluid
(liquid surrounding fetus)

1540

Bone

3080

Kidney

1561

Liver

1549

Muscle

1585

Explain why we are able to see the different parts of the fetus in an ultrasound scan. You
may use information from the table in your answer.
To gain full marks in this question you should write your ideas in good English. Put them
into a sensible order and use the correct scientific words.
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
...............................................................................................................................................
(Total 4 marks)

Q9.

Page 12

(a) An endoscope is an instrument used by doctors for looking inside patients. A

bundle of thin optical fibres pass light into the patients body, a second bundle of
fibres carry reflected light back to the doctor.

(i)

Complete the diagram below to show how an optical fibre is able to pass light
into a patients body.

(2)

(ii)

Give one advantage of using lots of thin fibres to make the bundles, rather
than a few thick fibres.
............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii)

Give one further example of the practical use of an optical fibre.

............................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 13

(b)

The diagram shows a wave travelling through a stretched spring.

In what way is this wave the same as a sound wave?

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

Sound waves travel faster in liquids than in gases. Why?

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(d)

A bat uses ultrasound to find its way around. Explain how.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q10.

(a) Sound travels through air, water and glass at different speeds. Through which
of these materials does sound travel:
the fastest; .............................................
the slowest? ...........................................
(2)

Give a reason for your choice of answers.

...................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 14

(b)

The bar chart shows the frequencies of sound which different animals can make and
can hear.

(i)

Which of the animals can make sounds which are beyond their own hearing
range?
..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

What name is given to the sounds which a cat can hear but a human cannot?
..........................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

Page 15

The diagram shows a trawler searching for a shoal of fish. Pulses of high frequency
sound emitted from the trawler are reflected back to the trawler. The pulses are
displayed on a cathode ray oscilloscope.

Complete the diagram below to show the pattern seen on the cathode ray
oscilloscope as the trawler passes over the shoal of fish.

(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q11.

Page 16

(a) The diagrams show oscilloscope traces for the same musical note played on
two different instruments. The oscilloscope settings are not changed.

(i)

How can you tell, from the diagrams, that it is the same musical note?
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

How can you tell, from the diagrams, that the musical note has been played on
different instruments?
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

This passage is from an electronics magazine.

Electronic systems can be used to produce ultrasound waves.

These waves have a higher frequency than the upper limit for hearing in humans.
Ultrasound waves are partially reflected when they meet a boundary between two different media.

(i)

Approximately what is the highest frequency that humans can hear?

State the number and the unit.
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 17

(ii)

What does the word media mean when it is used in this passage?
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii)

What happens to the ultrasound which reaches the boundary between two
different media and is not reflected?
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

Q12.

Pigs have a layer of fat in their skin. Underneath the fat is a layer of muscle.
Ultrasonic waves are used to measure the thickness of the layer of fat. An ultrasound
transmitter and detector are attached to the skin of the pig.

(a)

Explain why ultrasound can be used to measure the thickness of the layer of fat.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................

Page 18

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

The oscilloscope does not measure distance directly.

(i)

What does the oscilloscope measure in this case?

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

What other information is needed to calculate the thickness of the layer of fat
in a pig?
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

Q13.

The picture shows a pre-natal scan obtained using ultrasonic waves.

(i)

Explain how ultrasonic waves are used to produce the image of an unborn baby.
.............................................................................................................................

Page 19

........
.............................................................................................................................
........
.............................................................................................................................
.......
.............................................................................................................................
........
(2)

(ii)

Give another use for ultrasonic waves.

.............................................................................................................................
........
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

Q14.

Ultrasound can be used in industry for detecting internal cracks in metals.

(a)

State two features of ultrasound.

1 ..................................................................................................................................
2 ..................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Page 20

The diagram shows an ultrasound transmitter and detector fixed to the front of a
metal block. The block has an internal crack.

The diagram below shows the screen of the oscilloscope connected to the detector.

(i)

Explain why pulse A and pulse B occur.

..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

The metal block is 120 mm from front to back. What is the distance, in mm,
from the front of the block to the internal crack?
Distance = .................... mm
(1)
(Total 5 marks)

Page 21

M1.

(a)

vibrates (owtte)
for one mark
1

(b)

(i)

higher
for one mark
1

(ii)

louder
for one mark
1

(c)

(i)

ultrasonic (ultrasound)
for one mark
1

(ii)

different frequency / wavelength / pitch

gains 1 mark
but
high frequency / pitch, higher frequency /pitch (lower frequency / pitch wrong)
gains 2 marks
2

[6]

M2.

(a)

(i)

cat
1

(ii)

tuna
1

Page 22

(b)

(i)

ultrasound
allow ultrasonic
1

(ii)

cleaning / quality control / flaw detection / medical scanning /

animal scaring / sonar
1

[4]

M3.

(a)

(i)

A, C and D
any order but all three required and no others
1

(ii)

D and E
either order but both required and no others
1

(b)

(i)

20000 (Hz) to 20 (Hz)

accept 19980 (Hz)
or vice-versa
1

(ii)

frequency (of dog whistle) too high (for humans to hear) / frequency
above 20000 Hz
accept it is ultrasound
accept sound from the whistle is ultrasonic
1

(c)

(i)

substance
1

reflection
correct order essential
1

(ii)

detector
1

Page 23

[7]

M4.

(a)

20000
accept any unambiguous indication
1

(b)

kilohertz
credit misspellings
credit 1000 hertz or 1000 Hz
accept 1000 oscillations/beats/waves per second
1

(c)

(i)

cleaning (e.g. something delicate such as a watch)

or quality control/flaw detection
credit any appropriate extra Specification response
e.g. sonar
1

(ii)

pre-natal (scanning)
do not credit just scanning/medical scanning/ scanning a
baby
credit any appropriate extra Specification response
e.g. destruction of (kidney) stones or cleaning teeth
1

(d)

8 (s)
1

(e)

distance (1)
between the boundary and the detector (1)
accept between the boundary and the source
accept any correct use of speed = distance/time
2

(f)

examples
publish/tell doctors/the public (1) ... their evidence/results/research/data (1)
carry out more research/tests (1) ... to make sure/check reliability (1)

Page 24

allow a wide variety of appropriate responses

valid point (1) appropriate
example/qualification/expansion/etc. (1)
allow just stop using them/ultrasonic waves (1)
allow using them (only) for industrial purposes (1)
2

[9]

M5.

(ultrasonic) waves or vibrations or oscillations in fluid

N.B. must mention fluid or liquid
or water
1

idea of shaking dirt particles off watch

allow cavitation / implosion of small bubbles
1

[2]

M6.

(a)

sound with a frequency above audible

do not accept answer in terms of
do not accept sound which cannot be heard unless obvious
from context
accept above 20 kHz
1

(b)

(i)

to show detail or to give a clear image/picture

accept the generators or transducers can be small
accept so the beam does not spread out/beam in focus
not good picture
1

(ii)

Page 25

(much) smaller wavelength

allow higher frequency/pitch

(iii)

no damage to living cells (provided low power)

accept the converse
accept no damage to baby or not dangerous to baby
1

(iv)

any two forms

sex
stage of development
or specific examples
abnormalities
general health
potential problems (at birth)
accept specific examples e.g. umbilical cord around neck
size of head
accept multiple births
2

[6]

M7.

(a)

any two from:

amplitude decreasing
accept siren / sound getting quieter
do not accept sound decreases

wavelength increasing

frequency decreasing
accept pitch decreasing
ignore reference to transverse wave
ignore reference to speed
contradictory statements within each point lose the mark
2

Quality of written communication

Page 26

all emboldened terms in candidates answer used correctly

1

(b)

(i)

ultrasound or ultrasonic
1

(ii)

wave speed = frequency wavelength

accept speed / velocity for wave speed
accept v = f
do not accept w for
do not accept s for v
accept

provided subsequent calculation

shows a correct method
1

(iii)

339.2 or 340 or 339

allow 1 mark for using 212 000
allow 1 mark for correct substitution
an answer of 0.3392 or 0.34 or 0.339 gains 1 mark only
award full credit for a correct numerical answer with the unit
changed to km/s
3

[8]

M8.

Quality of written communication

correct use of three scientific terms from speed / velocity, reflection,
density, time, boundary
1

any three from:

different tissues have different densities
ultrasound travels at different speeds / velocities in different tissues

Page 27

reflection
accept bouncing back
from tissue boundaries
time taken to return
3

[4]

M9.

(a)

(i)

total internal reflection shown (2 8 reflections)

1

angles look correct (by eye) (2 5 reflections)

1

(ii)

can be bent more (without loss of light)

accept easier to get into patient or more flexible
accept more detailed or better image
accept if some fibres broke system would not fail
do not accept to pass more light - neutral
1

(iii)

any one of the following:

do not accept any further endoscopy uses
(telephone) communications (carry (laser) light) for surgery
or operations
torches
guides in cars
table lamps or ornamental lights
do not accept telephone wires
1

carry TV signals
carry computer data or information
cable TV or cable telephone
do not accept TV or telephone or computers without
qualification
do not accept bomb disposal unless qualified
accept to stimulate children with learning difficulties

Page 28

(b)

(both) longitudinal
accept both have compressions or rarefactions
accept both have high or low pressure regions
accept both transfer energy
do not accept 'need a medium'
1

(c)

liquids have a greater density

or
molecular spacing in gases is greater
1

(d)

(bat) transmits or emits ultrasound or pulses or signals or sound or waves

allow one mark if response is in terms of distance and time
1

picks up reflected ultrasound or signals or waves or sound or echo

allow 1 mark for echo location
1

[8]

M10.

(a)

glass
1

air
must be in correct order
1

closer the particles faster the speed

answer must show a comparison
or
particles in glass closest in air furthest apart

Page 29

accept the denser the material the faster the sound travels
or
sound travels faster in solids than gases
incorrect explanation negates credit
1

(b)

(i)

grasshopper

(ii)

ultrasound
accept ultrasonic
1

(c)

all of reflected pulse closer than given in original diagram

accept a cluster of pulses ignore a reflected pulse in original
position any pulse drawn to right of original negates credit
1

reflected pulse smaller than emitted but greater than 1 square high
accept cluster of pulses provided one part fulfils height_
criteria
2

[7]

M11.

(a)

(i)

same frequency / period / pitch / wavelength

ignore references to amplitude
1

(ii)

differences in waveform / shape / quality

accept the diagrams are not identical
1

(b)

(i)

20 000 Hz / hertz
or 20 kHz / kilohertz
in both cases, if the symbol rather than the name is used, it
must be correct in every detail

Page 30

(ii)

material(s) / substance(s) (through which sound travels)

1

(iii)

is absorbed
accept (some) sound (energy) is transformed / transferred
as heat / thermal energy
1

is transmitted
accept is refracted
accept changes speed
accept changes velocity
do not accept is diffracted
do not accept is diffused
do not accept is dissipated
1

[6]

M12.

(a)

(ultrasound) waves reflected

accept bounce off
1

at boundary / from muscle

1

(b)

(i)

time
1

(ii)

speed of (ultrasound) waves

1

[4]

Page 31

M13.

(i)
(partly) reflected when they hit a (boundary between two) different media
or substance or tissue
accept named substances
do not accept bounce back
1

time taken for reflected wave (to return) is used to produce the image
1

(ii)

any one from:

cleaning a delicate mechanism / jewellery
do not accept cleaning
welding plastics
cutting textiles
mixing emulsion paints
sonar
motion sensors (in burglar alarms)
do not accept burglar alarms

removing dental plaque

industrial quality control
breaking up kidney stones
treating injuries
1

[3]

M14.

Page 32

(a)

any two points:

do not credit features which are true of sound in general eg
longitudinal waves

humans cannot hear ultrasound

it has a very high frequency / pitch

do not credit just has a high frequency / pitch

above the (upper) limit for humans / above 20 000 Hz

2

(b)

(i)

ultrasound / waves are reflected

...are bounced is insufficient, but
...echo is acceptable
1

Pulse A indicates / is the crack

Pulse B indicates / is the back (of the block or crack)
need to mention both A and B to get this mark
1

(ii)

90 (mm)
accept any answer in the range 88 92 (mm)
1

[5]

Page 33

E1.

Parts (a) and (b) were well answered by most candidates.

In part (c)(i) only a minority managed "ultra-sound" to gain the mark, the common
distractor was "ultra-violet". In part (c)(ii) many candidates gained the mark for increased
pitch or frequency, the more able often went far beyond the mark scheme and gave
answers in terms of frequencies above 20 000 Hz. A few candidates spoilt their answers
by referring to increased frequency and reduced or small amplitude. Where a candidate
gives two answers, one right and one wrong, the examiner cannot pick which answer to
mark and marks are not awarded.

E2.

(a)

(b)

E3.

In part (i) the term ultrasound or ultrasonic was not known by many. Examiners saw
several references to supersonic and even a few to panasonic. In (ii) some
candidates were confusing ultrasound with microwaves, which led them to giving
answers concerning radar.

(a)

(b)

Page 34

Most candidates could extract at least one correct figure from the table.

(i)
Most candidates identified the diagrams which showed traces with the
same amplitude.

(ii)

Two thirds of candidates identified the two diagrams showing traces with the
same frequency.

(i)

Just over half of the candidates chose the correct range that a human child
can hear.

(ii)

Just over half of the candidates gained a mark but those that did not often

failed to mention that the frequency of the whistle was above 20 000 Hz. It
was not sufficient to state that dogs can hear higher frequencies than humans.

(c)

E4.

(i)

Approximately a third of candidates gained both marks whilst three quarters of

candidates gained at least one mark.

(ii)

Nearly two thirds of candidates identified that the information is collected by

the ultrasound detector and gained a mark.

Foundation Tier
(a)(b) The majority of candidates chose the correct response and nearly all knew that the
symbol kHz stands for kilohertz.
(c)

(i)(ii) A significant minority of candidates could give an industrial use for ultrasound
and a majority could give a medical use. It should be noted that vague
responses such as scanning organs did not gain a mark.
Candidates needed to be more precise eg scanning the kidneys or scanning
an unborn baby.

(d)

Many candidates were able to interpret the diagram, and the information given
about the scale, and correctly deduce that the time interval is 8 microseconds.

(e)

Few candidates were able to deduce that if the time interval is known then the
distance travelled can be calculated.

(f)

Most candidates obtained a mark for the suggestion that, in this imaginary event, we
should stop using ultrasonic waves but few had any sensible qualification to make
and seemed unaware to the harm this reaction could cause.

Higher Tier
(a)

Most candidates answered this correctly.

(b)

Nearly all candidates gained the mark for this question.

(c)

(i)(ii) Most candidates could give an industrial use and a medical use for ultrasound.

Page 35

It should be noted that vague answers such as scanning organs or scanning

babies did not gain credit.
Candidates needed to be more precise eg scanning the kidneys or scanning
an unborn baby.

(d)

Most candidates were able to interpret the diagram, and the information given about
the scale, and correctly deduce that the time interval is 8 microseconds.

(e)

Over half the candidates gained one mark by deducing that if the time interval is
known then the distance can be calculated but few of these candidates were able to
state what the distance is in this case.

(f)

Nearly all candidates obtained a mark for the suggestion that, in this event, we
should stop using ultrasonic waves and about half of these candidates had a
sensible qualification to make such as the need for further research.

E5.

Foundation Tier
This proved to be probably the most difficult question on the paper for the foundation tier
candidates.
The better ones realised that waves travelled through the fluid (which was often thought
erroneously to be water). However, hardly any candidates appreciated how these waves
could then dislodge the dirt particles. It was common to see reference to the waves
dissolving the dirt or killing bacteria on the watch.

Higher Tier
The better candidates realised that waves travelled through the fluid (which was often
thought erroneously to be water). However, surprisingly few appreciated how these waves
could then dislodge the dirt particles. It was common to see reference to the waves
dissolving the dirt or killing bacteria on the watch.

Page 36

E6.

Foundation Tier
Part (a) was poorly answered with very few candidates being able to give a reasonable
definition of ultrasound. In part (b) most candidates thought that a wider beam would
cause problems for both the mother and baby. Few considered that a narrow beam would
give more detail. Most candidates were able to give sensible answers in part (b)(iv).

Higher tier
Part (a) was answered poorly with very few candidates being able to give a reasonable
definition of ultrasound. In part (b) most candidates thought that a wider beam would
cause problems for both the mother and baby. Few considered that a narrow beam would
give more detail. Most candidates were able to give sensible answers in both part (b)(iii)
and part (b)(iv).

E7.

In part (a) few candidates were able to score full marks. The majority of candidates
showed a poor understanding of amplitude, frequency and wavelength. Many answers
contained contradictions, such as frequency increases and pitch decreases. Part (b)(i)
was disappointing with many candidates unable to remember the word ultrasound or
ultrasonic. The equation in part (b)(ii) was often correct but the subsequent calculation in
part (b)(iii) was rarely correct, a common error being to leave the frequency in kHz.

E8.

This question was very poorly answered by the majority of candidates. Many had the
idea that different speeds of ultrasound are used to identify different tissues. Few
explained that partial reflection, caused at a boundary between tissues of different
densities, enabled time to be measured. The Quality of Written Communication mark was
rarely awarded, candidates failing to use the terms described above.

Page 37

E9.

Foundation Tier
Large numbers of candidates were able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the ray
diagram for an optical fibre and many understood the reasons for thin fibre bundles being
employed. Many correct applications were given in part (a)(iii) but rather too many
employed a similar medical application to that already given. In part (b) candidates
generally described the diagram, rather than mentioning longitudinal. Many answers to
part (c) suggested more particles but fewer inferred particle concentration. In part (d)
many candidates identified that the bat listened to sounds, but many answers implied that
the objects in its path produced signals rather than the bat itself. Few candidates
understood that both the emission and detection of ultrasound involved the bat.

Higher Tier
Most candidates were able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the ray diagram for an
optical fibre and understood the reasons for thin fibre bundles being employed. Many
correct applications were given in part (a)(iii) but rather too many employed a similar
medical application to that already given. In part (b) candidates generally described the
diagram, rather than mentioning longitudinal. Many answers to part (c) suggested more
particles but fewer inferred particle concentration or proximity of particles. In part (d) many
candidates identified that the bat listened to sounds, but many answers implied that the
objects in its path produced signals rather than the bat itself. Few candidates understood
that both the emission and detection of ultrasound involved the bat.

E10.

Foundation Tier
In part (a) the majority of candidates incorrectly gave air and then glass. Many
erroneous explanations were given in terms of sound particles travelling easily through a
gas. Part (b) was generally answered well, although a significant number of candidates
could not recall the term ultrasound. In part (c) few of the responses were correct for both
pulse size and position.

Higher Tier
In part (a) a significant number of candidates incorrectly gave air and then glass. Many
gave an erroneous explanation in terms of sound particles travelling easily through a gas.
Those candidates correctly giving glass then air usually gave a correct reason for their
choice. Part (b) was generally answered well, although a significant number of candidates
could not recall the term ultrasound. In part (c) only the most able candidates saw the
significance of both amplitude and position. Many candidates also included the reflected
pulse from the original graph which was unnecessary and, unless clearly labelled, often

Page 38

spoilt their answer.

E11.

(a)

(b)

E12.

E13.

(i)

The majority of candidates scored a mark.

(ii)

Most candidates were able to explain that the diagrams represent different
musical instruments because there are differences in detail between their
shapes.

(i)

Most candidates knew the numerical value of the required frequency but some
of them lost the mark because of careless use of units as illustrated by 20 000
kHz.

(ii)

In part (b)(ii) most candidates understood the meaning of the word media in
the context of the short passage on ultrasound.

(iii)

Most candidates were able to obtain one mark out of the two for stating that
some of the ultrasound is absorbed.

Ultrasound still tends to confuse most candidates.

(a)

Those who read and applied the information in the introduction to the question,
scored best. These candidates realised that some ultrasound waves would be
reflected from the layer of muscle underneath the fat. Weaker candidates ignored
this information and answered in terms of ante-natal pictures.

(b)

Many realised that the oscilloscope measures time, but only the most able
candidates realised that wave-speed was needed in (ii).

The majority of candidates realised that the ultrasonic waves were reflected from the
unborn baby, although a number of candidates used the unacceptable term bounce back.
Very few candidates mentioned the time taken for the reflected wave to return as being

Page 39

used to produce the image. In part (b)(ii) most uses given were correct, but the answer
industrial cleaning was too vague to gain credit. A few candidates gave uses of gamma
rays.

E14.

(a) Most candidates secured both marks by writing that ultrasound has a
frequency greater than 20 000 Hz and so cannot be heard by humans. However,
some candidates offered responses which are true for sound in general, Its not as
fast as light for example, and did not gain any credit.

(b)

Page 40

(i)

Most candidates realised that the pulses are caused by ultrasound being
reflected, though some candidates did not secure the mark because they
offered rebounded or bounced. Most candidates thought that pulse A
indicates the crack and pulse B indicates the back of the block, or the back of
the crack. Either interpretation gained credit provided that both pulses were
identified.

(ii)

Most candidates correctly offered an answer in the range 88 92 (mm).