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GCSE Physics  ›  P.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids

Waves in air, fluids and solids

Free AQA GCSE Physics practice questions on Waves in air, fluids and solids. Sample questions below with detailed mark schemes — sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.

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Define — 3 marks

A sonar system on a research vessel uses sound waves to detect underwater objects. The sound waves travel through seawater at different speeds depending on temperature and salinity. Scientists need to understand how these waves behave in the fluid medium to accurately map the ocean floor.

  1. Define what is meant by a longitudinal wave. [1 mark]
  2. Define the term wavelength. [1 mark]
  3. Explain why sound waves, such as those used in the sonar system, are longitudinal waves and cannot travel through a vacuum. [1 mark]
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Suggest — 2 marks

A seismic monitoring station detects vibrations from an earthquake. The station records both P-waves (primary waves) and S-waves (secondary waves) arriving at different times. P-waves travel through both solid rock and liquid magma in the Earth's interior, whereas S-waves only travel through solid rock. Scientists use the time difference between the arrival of these two wave types to locate the earthquake's epicentre and determine the structure of the Earth's interior.

  1. Suggest why S-waves cannot travel through the liquid outer core of the Earth, whereas P-waves can. [1 mark]
  2. Suggest one reason why the time difference between P-wave and S-wave arrival times increases with greater distance from the earthquake epicentre. [1 mark]
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Explain — 2 marks

A geologist uses seismic waves to investigate the structure of the Earth after an earthquake. Two types of waves are detected: primary waves (P-waves) that travel through both solids and liquids, and secondary waves (S-waves) that only travel through solids. The S-waves cannot pass through the Earth's liquid outer core, creating a 'shadow zone' where they are not detected.

  1. Explain why S-waves cannot travel through the liquid outer core of the Earth. [1 mark]
  2. Explain why P-waves are able to travel through both the solid mantle and the liquid outer core. [1 mark]
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Evaluate — 4 marks

A sound engineer is designing a concert hall and needs to choose between two materials for the walls: material A (a rigid concrete surface) and material B (a soft foam composite). The engineer wants to reduce unwanted echoes and reverberation while maintaining good sound quality for the audience.

  1. Explain how sound waves behave differently when they encounter material A (concrete) compared to material B (foam). [1 mark]
  2. Evaluate which material would be more suitable for reducing echoes in the concert hall. Consider both the wave properties involved and the practical implications for sound quality. [2 marks]
  3. Suggest one limitation of using material B exclusively throughout the entire concert hall, and explain your answer in terms of wave behaviour. [1 mark]
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