Physics 0625 · IGCSE
General properties of waves
100 practice questions on General properties of waves, with worked solutions and instant marking.
A water wave in a shallow tank travels through an opening in a barrier. What happens to the wave speed, and what happens to the wavelength, as the wave passes through the opening?
Feb/March 2016
Which option is a unit used for wavelength?
Feb/March 2016
Which of the following is a unit used for wavelength?
Feb/March 2016
In a shallow tank, a water wave travels towards a barrier that has a narrow opening. Which diagram shows the wave after it has passed the barrier?
Feb/March 2017
A surfer rides every 30th wave crest as it heads towards the beach. The wave crest moves at a speed of $1.6\,\text{m s}^{-1}$, and the gap between neighbouring crests is $24\,\text{m}$. How many wave crests does the surfer ride in one hour?
Feb/March 2017
In a shallow tank, a water wave travels towards a barrier that has a narrow opening. Which diagram shows the wave after it has passed the barrier?
Feb/March 2017
Fig. 7.1 shows a wave travelling along a string.
Feb/March 2017
Which row gives one example of a transverse wave and one example of a longitudinal wave?
Feb/March 2018
Which row gives one example of a transverse wave and one example of a longitudinal wave?
Feb/March 2018
A wave travels through a gap, and diffraction makes it spread out. Which wave spreads out the most?
Feb/March 2018
Fig. 7.1 illustrates a light ray undergoing refraction as it moves from air into glass. The labels include ray of light, normal, air, glass, and angles marked w, x, y and z.
Feb/March 2018
The diagram illustrates a wave before reflection at a barrier. Which labelled part of the diagram shows a wavefront?
Feb/March 2019
The diagram illustrates a transverse wave. Which distance corresponds to one wavelength?
Feb/March 2019
The diagram illustrates a wave just before it is reflected by a barrier. Which labelled part of the diagram shows a wavefront?
Feb/March 2019
An object that is oscillating creates waves on the surface of a liquid. The object carries out $20$ vibrations each second. The distance between adjacent crests is $3.0\,\text{cm}$. What is the speed of the waves?
Feb/March 2019
Both light and sound move in the form of waves.
Feb/March 2019
The diagrams illustrate examples of wave motion. Identify the waves that are longitudinal.
Feb/March 2020
Waves at the surface of water move from deep water into shallow water. Which diagram shows the waves taking the correct path in the shallow water?
Feb/March 2020
Four students A, B, C and D investigate how water waves diffract as they pass through a gap. Each student chooses a different gap width and a different wavelength for the water waves. Which student generates the waves with the greatest diffraction?
Feb/March 2020
The diagrams illustrate examples of wave motion. Which of the waves are longitudinal?
Feb/March 2020
Fig. 8.1 illustrates a travelling wave at a single instant.
Feb/March 2020
On Fig. 6.1, add three more crests on the right-hand side of point A.
Feb/March 2020
The diagram presents a wave. Which measurements are used to describe the properties of the wave?
Feb/March 2021
Fig. 7.1 shows a transverse wave. In Fig. 7.1, arrows P, Q, R, S and T indicate distances measured on the wave.
Feb/March 2021
A transverse wave travels along a rope. The diagram shows the rope’s position at a specific instant. Which two labelled points are separated by one wavelength?
Feb/March 2023
A transverse wave travels along a rope. The diagram shows the rope’s shape at one instant in time. Which two labelled points are separated by one wavelength?
Feb/March 2023
Fig. 6.1 illustrates how the displacement of a transverse wave changes with time.
Feb/March 2023
Which row provides an example of a longitudinal wave and states the direction in which the vibrations occur?
Feb/March 2024
The diagram illustrates a wave. Which measurements are used to describe the wave’s properties?
Feb/March 2024
Fig. 6.1 shows a transverse wave.
Feb/March 2024
Which equation can be used to calculate the speed of a wave?
Feb/March 2025
The frequency of a wave is doubled while its speed remains unchanged. What change occurs to the wavelength of the wave?
Feb/March 2025
Fig. 7.1 shows a scale drawing of light waves moving towards a narrow slit. SCALE $1.0\,\text{cm} : 4.0 \times 10^{-7}\,\text{m}$. The diagram marks the direction of propagation of light, the crests of 3 successive wavefronts, and a barrier containing a narrow slit.
Feb/March 2025
Which row identifies the nature of light waves, sound waves and X-rays?
May/June 2016
A house sits at the foot of a hill and receives radio waves. The hill has made the waves reach the house by causing them to be
May/June 2016
Which row identifies the natures of light waves, sound waves and X-rays?
May/June 2016
Radio waves are picked up by a house at the base of a hill. They can arrive there because the hill has caused them to be bent
May/June 2016
Which row indicates the natures of light waves, sound waves and X-rays?
May/June 2016
Radio waves are picked up at a house located at the foot of a hill. The waves reach the house because the hill has made them
May/June 2016
Which row identifies the natures of light waves, sound waves and X-rays?
May/June 2016
A wave’s frequency is doubled while its speed remains unchanged. What happens to the wave’s wavelength?
May/June 2016
Which row indicates the natures of light waves, sound waves and X-rays?
May/June 2016
A water wave moves into an area where it travels at a lower speed. When it enters this slower region, what happens to its frequency, and what happens to its wavelength?
May/June 2016
Which row identifies the natures of light waves, sound waves and X-rays?
May/June 2016
The diagrams illustrate four sources of waves. Which source generates longitudinal waves?
May/June 2017
The diagrams depict four wave sources. Which source generates longitudinal waves?
May/June 2017
Waves of different wavelengths encounter barriers that have gaps of different widths. Diffraction will occur. In which diagram does the wave spreading become the largest?
May/June 2017
Waves encountering barriers pass through gaps of different widths. Diffraction will take place. Which diagram shows the largest amount of spreading?
May/June 2017
Waves of different wavelengths encounter barriers with gaps of varying sizes. The waves will diffract. Which diagram shows the largest amount of spreading?
May/June 2017
Fig. 6.1 shows the three processes reflection, refraction and diffraction in diagram form.
May/June 2017
From Fig. 6.1, determine the amplitude of the wave.
May/June 2017
Which arrow on the graph indicates the wave’s amplitude?
May/June 2018
In which situation does the wave’s wavelength change?
May/June 2018
A tank is filled with water. Ripples form on the water’s surface. What causes the ripples to refract?
May/June 2018
The diagrams illustrate a wave on the water surface in a tank at times $1.0\ \text{s}$ apart. The wave is generated at P and moves to the right. Which row gives the frequency and the speed of this water wave?
May/June 2018
The diagram depicts a wave. Which row is correct?
May/June 2018
Which arrow on the graph indicates the wave’s amplitude?
May/June 2018
A tank contains water. Ripples form on the water’s surface. What makes the ripples refract?
May/June 2018
The diagram shows a wave. Which row is the correct one?
May/June 2018
Fig. 6.1 illustrates wavefronts moving towards a gap in a barrier.
May/June 2018
The diagram illustrates a cork with a weight fixed to it so that the cork remains upright in water. Transverse waves move across the water from X to Y. In what direction do the waves cause the cork to move?
May/June 2019
The diagrams present displacement-time graphs for four waves. Each graph uses the same scale. Which wave has the greatest amplitude and the greatest frequency?
May/June 2019
The diagram illustrates a cork with a weight fixed to it so that the cork stays floating upright in water. Transverse waves move across the water from X to Y. In which direction do the waves cause the cork to move?
May/June 2019
An observer is positioned at the finish line for a $100\,\text{m}$ race. He wants to measure the winner’s time. He begins his stop-watch the moment he sees the smoke from the starting gun, rather than when he hears the bang. What is the reason for doing this?
May/June 2019
A student has drawn a diagram to illustrate two different properties of a water wave. The arrows indicate the directions of the waves. Which two wave properties are shown in the diagram?
May/June 2019
The diagram shows a cork with a weight fixed to it so that the cork floats vertically in water. Transverse waves pass through the water from X to Y. In what direction do the waves cause the cork to move?
May/June 2019
When water waves travel through a gap, they undergo diffraction. The diagrams show wavefronts moving towards a narrow gap. In which diagram will the diffraction be smallest?
May/June 2019
As water waves go through a gap, they diffract. The diagrams show wavefronts heading towards a narrow gap. In which diagram is the diffraction smallest?
May/June 2019
When water waves travel through a gap, they diffract. The diagrams illustrate wavefronts moving towards a narrow gap. In which diagram is the diffraction the least?
May/June 2019
State the name of the process that takes place as the wave travels from region A into region B.
May/June 2019
Fig. 6.1 presents wavefronts of a wave moving towards a narrow gap and then passing through it. The wavelength is $\lambda$.
May/June 2019
The diagram shows a wave travelling along a rope. What type of wave is this, and which labelled arrow indicates the wavelength of the wave?
May/June 2021
The diagrams illustrate water waves in three separate situations. The arrows indicate the direction in which the waves move. What does each diagram illustrate?
May/June 2021
Which diagram illustrates waves undergoing diffraction?
May/June 2021
Light waves are sent through an opening. The diagrams illustrate two possible results. Which row gives the correct answer?
May/June 2021
A water wave enters an area where it moves at a lower speed. As it enters the slower area, what happens to the frequency, and what happens to the wavelength of the wave?
May/June 2021
A water wave moves into a region where the wave travels more slowly. As it enters the slower region, what happens to the frequency and what happens to the wavelength of the wave?
May/June 2021
A water wave enters an area in which the wave moves more slowly. When it moves into the slower area, what happens to the frequency, and what happens to the wavelength of the wave?
May/June 2021
Fig. 5.1 illustrates a wave in the sea moving towards a harbour.
May/June 2021
The diagram presents a wave. Which row is correct?
May/June 2022
A girl sits on a rock in the sea and watches the waves move past. She observes that five full wavelengths pass her in $20\,\text{s}$. Determine the frequency of this wave.
May/June 2022
The diagram illustrates a wave. Which row is correct?
May/June 2022
A girl sits on a rock in the sea and watches the waves move past. She observes that five complete wavelengths pass her in $20\,\text{s}$. What is the frequency of this wave?
May/June 2022
In the diagram, a wave is shown. Which row is the correct one?
May/June 2022
A girl sits on a rock in the sea and watches waves go by. She observes that five complete wavelengths pass her in $20\,\text{s}$. What is the frequency of this wave?
May/June 2022
The diagram illustrates a wave. Which row is the correct one?
May/June 2022
The diagram depicts a wave. Which row is the correct one?
May/June 2022
The water wave in the figure has a frequency of $4.0\,$Hz. What is the speed of this wave?
May/June 2022
The diagram illustrates a wave. Which row is correct?
May/June 2022
Fig. 7.1 illustrates how particles are displaced in a water wave.
May/June 2022
Sound waves are longitudinal, whereas electromagnetic waves are transverse.
May/June 2022
Fig. 6.1 illustrates crests of a plane water wave moving toward a barrier that has a gap. The diagram is labelled crests, barrier, and direction of travel of water wave. Fig. 6.2 illustrates crests of a plane water wave in deep water as it moves toward a shallow-water region, with labels deep water, shallow water, boundary, and direction of travel of water wave.
May/June 2022
The diagrams present displacement–time graphs for four waves. Each graph uses the same scale. Which wave has the greatest amplitude and the greatest frequency?
May/June 2023
The diagram illustrates a wave. What are the amplitude and wavelength of this wave?
May/June 2023
A drop of water from a tap lands on the surface of water that has a constant depth. Water waves then travel outward across the water surface. Which statement is correct?
May/June 2023
The diagrams display displacement–time graphs for four waves. Every graph uses the same scale. Which wave has the greatest amplitude and the greatest frequency?
May/June 2023
The diagram illustrates a wave. What are the wavelength and the amplitude of this wave?
May/June 2023
A drop of water from a tap lands on the surface of water with a constant depth. Waves on the water surface spread outward. Which of the following statements is correct?
May/June 2023
A student notices waves on the water surface in a tank. All of the waves share one wavelength.
May/June 2023
A teacher illustrates wave behaviour by creating water waves in a ripple tank. Fig. 5.1 gives a cross-section of part of the water waves.
May/June 2023