1

1 The diagram shows the position of a man working in a rock quarry. A single explosion is used to
break part of one rock face.

(a) Explain why the man sees the flash of the explosion before he hears the bang.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) The man hears a second bang shortly after the first bang.

(i) State the name given to this second bang.

................................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) State how the second bang compares with the first bang in terms of its amplitude and
speed.

amplitude ..............................................................................................................

speed .................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) The man stands 170 m from the back rock face. The time between hearing the first bang and
hearing the second bang is 1.0 s.

Use the information in the diagram to determine the speed of sound in the quarry.

speed of sound = .................................................. m / s [3]

[Total: 7]

2 The diagram shows a floating plastic ball attached by a long rope to a weight on the bottom of a
lake. A water wave on the surface of the lake causes the ball to move vertically up and down.
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(a) On the diagram, indicate the wavelength of the wave. Label the distance W.

[1]

(b) Determine the amplitude of the wave.

amplitude = ......................................................... cm [1]

(c) The ball reaches its maximum height 40 times in 60 seconds. Calculate the frequency of the
wave.

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

(d) Explain how the motion of the ball shows that the water wave is transverse.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(e) State another example of a transverse wave.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 6]

3 The diagram shows an incomplete diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Complete the diagram with the names of the missing types of radiation in the correct boxes. [4]

[Total: 4]

4 X-rays are one type of radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum.

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(a) Describe how X-rays are used for security in airports.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Explain the properties of X-rays that make them useful in airport security.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 4]

5 The chart in the diagram shows the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Two of the regions are not labelled.

visible radio
........................ X-rays ....................... infrared microwaves
light waves

(a) Complete the labelling in the diagram. [2]

(b) Compare the speed of radio waves and visible light. Complete the sentence.

In a vacuum, radio waves travel ................................................................ visible light. [1]

[Total: 3]

6 The diagram shows a heater in a bathroom.

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heater

The heater is at a very high temperature and it glows red. The manufacturer states:

“The heater emits light and radiation and it transfers thermal energy by radiation.”

(a) State the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that transfers thermal energy.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) State:

(i) one way in which visible light and the radiation identified in (a) are similar

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) one way in which visible light differs from the radiation identified in (a).

................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................ [1]

[Total: 3]

7 The diagram shows the main regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Two of the regions are
unlabelled.

radio visible ultraviolet γ (gamma)-

........................ ........................ X-rays
waves light rays rays
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(a) Complete the labelling in the diagram. Write the name of the radiation in each unlabelled
region. [2]

(b) State the name of one region of the electromagnetic spectrum that has wavelengths shorter
than those of ultraviolet rays.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 3]

8 X-rays are used in hospitals to help treat patients.

Suggest and explain three precautions for the safe use of X-rays.

1. ..............................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

2. ..............................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

3. ..............................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [3]

[Total: 3]
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9 The diagram shows some devices that each use one type of electromagnetic radiation.

Draw one line from each device to the correct type of electromagnetic radiation. One has been
done for you. [3]

[Total: 3]
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10 Electromagnetic radiation has many uses.

Draw a line from each use to the type of radiation it requires.

use type of radiation

radio waves

microwaves
detecting an intruder at
night
infra-red

communicating by satellite
visible light
for a telephone

ultraviolet
detecting broken bones in
the body
X-rays

gamma rays

[3]

[Total: 3]

11 The diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum. One type of radiation is not labelled.

(a) On the diagram, add the label for the missing type of radiation. [1]

(b) The arrow in the diagram indicates a property that is increasing.

State the name of the property that is increasing in the direction of the arrow.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Compare the speeds of radio waves and visible light in a vacuum.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]
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[Total: 3]

12 The diagram show a partially-labelled diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum.

(a) On the diagram, add the names of the missing radiations at A and at B. [2]

(b) Indicate the radiation that has the lowest frequency. On the diagram, draw a ring around the
radiation. [1]

[Total: 3]

13 The diagram is an incomplete diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum.

(a) In the diagram, section A and section B of the electromagnetic spectrum are not labelled.

State the names of these parts.

A ........................................................................................................................................

B ........................................................................................................................................ [2]
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(b) An electromagnetic wave has a wavelength of 1.0 × 10 m. Use the diagram to identify the
type of electromagnetic wave.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 3]

14 The diagram shows the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

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(a) The diagram shows the first letter of some colours in the visible part of the spectrum.

State which colours are missing.

................................................................ and ................................................................ [1]

(b) State the names of the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum that are used in

(i) communications,

.............................................................. and ....................................................... [1]

(ii) remote controls for televisions and DVD players.

................................................................................................................................ [1]

[Total: 3]

15 Visible light is one region of the electromagnetic spectrum, as represented in the figure.

(a) Two regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are missing from the figure.

State the name of the missing region with the longer wavelength.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) An infra-red sensor is fitted into a room as part of an intruder alarm system.

Explain how the sensor detects a person in the room.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 3]
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16 This question is about the following four types of wave.

infrared microwaves ultrasound radio waves

Answer the questions, choosing words from this list.

(a) State which of the types of wave are electromagnetic.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) State which type of electromagnetic wave has the longest wavelength.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 2]

17 A student incorrectly writes some sentences about electromagnetic waves. His teacher underlines
a mistake in each sentence.

In the table, write a suitable correction for each mistake. The first one has been done for you.

student’s sentences correction

The speed of light is slower than the speed of radio waves in a vacuum. the same as

Ultraviolet rays are used in signals for satellite television and mobile phones.

Radio waves are used to scan patients for broken bones.

[2]

[Total: 2]

18 (a) State the name of one type of electromagnetic wave with a wavelength shorter than that of
visible light.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

18 (b) State one use of the type of wave you have given in (a).

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 2]
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19 Sound travels as a wave.

Complete each sentence.

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

An echo is produced when sound is .............................. from a hard surface.

Compared with a quiet sound, a loud sound always has a greater ........................... .

Compared with a high pitched sound, a low pitched sound always has a smaller ....................... .

Waves transfer energy without transferring ............................................................................. .

[5]

[Total: 5]
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20 Light and sound both travel as waves.

Draw a line from each statement to the correct term that describes it. One has been done for you.

[5]

[Total: 5]

21 Humans, elephants, mice and dolphins have different hearing ranges. The diagram shows the
hearing range for each type of animal.
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(a) State the lowest frequency of sound that can be heard by mice.

.................................................................................................................................... H z [1]

(b) State the highest frequency of sound that can be heard by elephants.

.................................................................................................................................... H z [1]

(c) Explain how the chart shows that elephants can hear some sounds that humans cannot hear.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(d) State the term given to the high frequencies that dolphins can hear but humans cannot hear.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 5]

22 The diagram shows some equipment used in a demonstration.

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The glass jar is connected to a vacuum pump. The electric bell is switched on. The observers see
and hear the bell working.

(a) The vacuum pump removes air from the glass jar. State what the observers see and what they
hear after the air is removed.

observers see ...................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

observers hear .................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) State what the demonstration in (a) shows about the transmission of sound waves.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) When the bell is working, the hammer strikes the gong. Describe how the gong produces the
sound.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 5]
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23 Some students are provided with a 100 m tape measure and stopwatches. The teacher has a
starting pistol.

Describe an experiment that they can carry out to determine the speed of sound in air.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [5]

[Total: 5]

24 Two students, X and Y, carry out an experiment to determine the speed of sound in air.

X has two blocks of wood that make a loud, sharp sound when banged together.
Y has a tape measure and a stopwatch.

Describe how X and Y can use the equipment to measure the speed of sound in air.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [4]

[Total: 4]
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25 The diagram shows an ultrasound wave being used to scan an internal organ of a human body.

ultrasound transmitter
and receiver

internal organ

ultrasound
wave

The ultrasound wave has a frequency of 2.0 MHz and passes through human tissue at a speed of
1500 m / s.

Calculate the wavelength of the ultrasound wave in human tissue.

wavelength = ..................................................... [3]

[Total: 3]

26 Sound waves consist of compressions and rarefactions.

Explain the terms compression and rarefaction. Give your explanation in terms of the spacing of
molecules and the pressure for sound waves in air.

compression .............................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

rarefaction.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [3]

[Total: 3]
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27 Tick four statements in the list below that are false for a sound wave that is audible to a healthy
human ear.

The wave is
longitudinal.
The wave is
transverse.
The
frequency of
the wave is
1 Hz.
The
frequency of
the wave is
1 kHz.
The
frequency of
the wave is
1 MHz.
The wave
travels in a
vacuum.
The wave
could travel
in
aluminium.
[3]

[Total: 3]
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28 A student listens to two different sounds, P and Q.

The two different sounds are represented on a computer screen on the same scale.

The diagram shows the screens.

State and explain how sound P is different from sound Q.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [3]

[Total: 3]

29 The diagram shows a tuning fork and a wooden block.

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(a) The tuning fork is hit against the wooden block and then makes a sound.

Describe how the tuning fork produces the sound.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) The tuning fork produces a sound with a frequency of 659 Hz.

State whether a healthy human ear can hear this frequency of sound. Explain your answer.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 3]