Free General properties of waves questions for IGCSE Physics (0625), part of Waves. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
Generate a full General Properties of Waves worksheet →All Waves questionsA wave passes through a gap that is about the same size as its wavelength.
What happens?
Answer: A
What is the amplitude of a wave?
Answer: A
Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum has the shortest wavelength?
Answer: A
Fig. 4.1 shows water waves in a ripple tank at one instant. 20 wavefronts pass a fixed point in 4.0 s.
Determine the amplitude and the wavelength of the waves.
Calculate the frequency and the speed of the waves. Give the speed in m/s.
The waves pass into a shallower region where they travel more slowly. The frequency does not change. State and explain what happens to the wavelength.
The waves then pass through a gap equal in width to their wavelength. Describe the waves after the gap, and state how this would change if the gap were much wider.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | 2.5 cm, 5 cm 2.5 cm B1 5 cm B1 | 2 |
| (b) | 5 Hz, 0.25 m/s f = 20 ÷ 4 = 5 Hz B1 v = fλ C1 0.25 m/s (λ in m) A1 | 3 |
| (c) | Wavelength decreases: v = fλ with f constant, so λ is proportional to v wavelength decreases B1 f unchanged so λ ∝ v (v = fλ) B1 | 2 |
| (d) | They spread out (diffract) into semicircular wavefronts with the same wavelength; with a much wider gap there is much less spreading diffraction: waves spread out (curved wavefronts), wavelength unchanged B1 wider gap gives less diffraction / spreading B1 | 2 |
Water waves are observed in a ripple tank.
Describe how a stroboscope can be used to make the waves appear stationary.
Describe what is seen when plane waves reflect from a straight barrier at an angle.
Explain why waves passing through a narrow gap spread out more than through a wide gap.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | flash frequency equals wave frequency set the flash frequency equal to the wave frequency B1 | 1 |
| (b) | reflected at same angle, same wavelength waves reflect so that angle of incidence = angle of reflection B1 wavelength and speed unchanged B1 | 2 |
| (c) | diffraction greatest when gap ≈ wavelength diffraction is greatest when the gap width is similar to the wavelength B1 | 1 |
Water waves travel across a large tank. The frequency is 2 Hz and the wavelength is 1.5 m.
Define the frequency of a wave.
Calculate the speed of the waves.
The waves pass into shallower water and slow down. State what happens to the frequency and the wavelength.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | number of waves per second the number of complete waves passing a point per second B1 | 1 |
| (b) | 3 m/s v = fλ = 2 × 1.5 C1 3 m/s A1 | 2 |
| (c) | frequency same; wavelength decreases frequency stays the same B1 wavelength decreases B1 | 2 |
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Meet Riyaz →Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in