AQA-style topic test · Waves · Foundation tier
Time allowed: 35 minutes
Total: Separate Physics 30 marks · Combined Science 22 marks (skip Question 05)
You need: a calculator, a ruler and the equation sheet.
Instructions: Answer all questions on paper. Show your working in calculations – you can get marks for working even if your final answer is wrong. Open the mark schemes only when you have finished the whole test.
Question 01
01.1 Which of these is a longitudinal wave?
Tick (✓) one box.
☐ light ☐ microwaves ☐ sound ☐ water ripples [1 mark]
Mark scheme
sound (1)
01.2 What is meant by the amplitude of a wave? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
the maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed position (1)
do not accept: the height of the wave (from trough to peak)
01.3 A wave has a frequency of 50 Hz and a wavelength of 0.30 m.
Calculate the wave speed.
Use the equation: v = f λ [2 marks]
Mark scheme
v = 50 × 0.30 (1)
v = 15 m/s (1)
01.4 Calculate the period of the same wave.
Use the equation: T = 1 ÷ f [2 marks]
Mark scheme
T = 1 ÷ 50 (1)
T = 0.020 s (1)
Question 01 total: 6 marks
Question 02
A student uses a ripple tank to investigate water waves. A lamp above the tank projects the wave pattern onto paper below.
02.1 Describe how the student can measure the wavelength of the waves accurately. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
measure the distance across several (e.g. 10) waves with a ruler (1)
divide by the number of waves (1)
02.2 12 waves pass a point in 4.0 seconds. Calculate the frequency. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
f = 12 ÷ 4.0 (1)
f = 3.0 Hz (1)
02.3 Give one hazard of using a ripple tank. [1 mark]
Mark scheme
water near electrical equipment / spilt water causing slips / the lamp getting hot (1)
Question 02 total: 5 marks
Question 03
03.1 Complete the electromagnetic spectrum.
radio · microwaves · A · visible light · B · X-rays · gamma rays [2 marks]
Mark scheme
A: infrared (1)
B: ultraviolet (1)
03.2 What do all electromagnetic waves have in common? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
any one from (1): they travel at the same speed in a vacuum / they are transverse / they transfer energy from a source to an absorber
03.3 Give one use of microwaves. [1 mark]
Mark scheme
satellite communications / cooking food (1)
03.4 Give one danger of ultraviolet radiation. [1 mark]
Mark scheme
skin ages prematurely / increased risk of skin cancer (1)
03.5 X-rays and gamma rays are ionising. What does ionising mean? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
they can knock electrons off atoms, turning them into ions (1)
Question 03 total: 6 marks
Question 04
04.1 A ray of light enters a glass block at an angle. The light slows down. Which way does the ray bend? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
towards the normal (1)
A student fills a Leslie cube with hot water. Its four faces are matt black, shiny black, matt white and shiny silver. She points an infrared detector at each face.
04.2 Which face emits the most infrared radiation? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
matt black (1)
04.3 Give two control variables in this investigation. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
any two from (1 each): distance from the detector to the face · temperature of the water · size of each face
04.4 Why is an infrared detector better than feeling the heat with your hand? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
it gives numerical / more accurate readings that can be compared (it is not subjective) (1)
Question 04 total: 5 marks
🔷 SEPARATE PHYSICS ONLY – Combined Science students skip Question 05
(Reflection, sound and hearing, colour and filters, and lenses are only in Separate Physics.)
Question 05
05.1 State the law of reflection. [1 mark]
Mark scheme
the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection (1)
05.2 Describe the difference between specular reflection and diffuse reflection. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
specular: from a smooth surface, reflected in a single direction (1)
diffuse: from a rough surface, scattered in many directions (1)
05.3 What is the range of normal human hearing? [1 mark]
Mark scheme
20 Hz to 20 kHz (20 000 Hz) (1)
05.4 A red car is seen in blue light. What colour does it appear? Explain why. [2 marks]
Mark scheme
black (1)
the car only reflects red light; blue light is absorbed, so no light is reflected (1)
05.5 A lens forms an image 6.0 cm tall of an object 2.0 cm tall.
Calculate the magnification.
Use the equation: magnification = image height ÷ object height [2 marks]
Mark scheme
magnification = 6.0 ÷ 2.0 (1)
magnification = 3.0 (1) – no unit
Question 05 total: 8 marks
END OF TEST. Total: Separate Physics 30 marks · Combined Science 22 marks.
Next: Waves – Higher test · Waves topic page · All topic tests
