Properties of Waves Practice Questions
IGCSE (Cambridge) · IGCSE Physics · 143 free MCQs with instant results and detailed explanations.
143
Total
43
Easy
72
Medium
28
Hard
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Sample Questions from Properties of Waves
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Q1
Easy
What type of wave requires a medium to travel through?
A.
Sound waves
B.
Electromagnetic waves
C.
Light waves
D.
Radio waves
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Correct Answer: A
Sound waves are mechanical waves that require a medium (like air, water, or solids) to travel through, unlike electromagnetic waves, which can travel through a vacuum.
Q2
Easy
What is the frequency of a wave if its wavelength is 2 meters and its speed is 340 meters per second?
A.
170 Hz
B.
340 Hz
C.
680 Hz
D.
120 Hz
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Frequency can be calculated using the formula: frequency = speed / wavelength. Here, frequency = 340 m/s / 2 m = 170 Hz.
Q3
Easy
Which of the following best describes the behavior of light when it passes from air into water?
A.
It speeds up.
B.
It bends towards the normal.
C.
It changes color.
D.
It gets absorbed completely.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
When light passes from air (less dense) into water (more dense), it slows down and bends towards the normal due to refraction.
Q4
Medium
Which property of a wave is defined as the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs?
A.
Wavelength
B.
Frequency
C.
Amplitude
D.
Period
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Correct Answer: A
Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive crests (or troughs) in a wave, making option A the correct answer.
Q5
Medium
A sound wave travels through air at a speed of 340 m/s. If the frequency of the sound is 680 Hz, what is its wavelength?
A.
0.5 m
B.
1.0 m
C.
2.0 m
D.
0.25 m
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Correct Answer: A
The wavelength can be calculated using the formula: wavelength = speed / frequency. Therefore, 340 m/s ÷ 680 Hz = 0.5 m.
Q6
Medium
Which of the following statements best describes the effect of increasing the amplitude of a wave?
A.
The wave travels faster.
B.
The wave's energy increases.
C.
The wave's frequency increases.
D.
The wave's wavelength decreases.
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Correct Answer: B
Increasing the amplitude of a wave increases its energy, making option B the correct choice, while the other options do not accurately describe the effect of amplitude changes.
Q7
Medium
When a wave passes from a less dense medium to a more dense medium, what happens to its speed?
A.
The speed increases.
B.
The speed decreases.
C.
The speed remains the same.
D.
The speed becomes zero.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B
When a wave travels from a less dense medium to a more dense medium, its speed decreases due to the greater inertia of the denser medium, hence option B is correct.
Q8
Hard
A sound wave travels through air at a speed of 340 m/s. If the frequency of the sound wave is 85 Hz, what is the wavelength of the sound wave?
A.
4 m
B.
3.5 m
C.
2.5 m
D.
5 m
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
The wavelength can be calculated using the formula: wavelength = speed / frequency. Here, wavelength = 340 m/s / 85 Hz = 4 m.
Q9
Hard
Which of the following statements correctly describes the behavior of light waves when they pass from air into a denser medium like glass?
A.
The speed of light increases and the wavelength decreases.
B.
The speed of light decreases and the wavelength increases.
C.
The speed of light decreases and the wavelength decreases.
D.
The speed of light remains constant and the wavelength increases.
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C
When light travels from air into glass, it slows down due to the higher optical density of glass. As a result, the wavelength also decreases while frequency remains constant.
Q10
Hard
A sound wave travels at a speed of 340 m/s in air. If the frequency of the sound wave is 1700 Hz, what is the wavelength of the sound wave?
A.
0.2 m
B.
0.5 m
C.
2.0 m
D.
1.0 m
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A
Wavelength can be calculated using the formula: wavelength = speed / frequency. Here, wavelength = 340 m/s / 1700 Hz = 0.2 m, making option A correct.
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Properties of Waves — IGCSE (Cambridge) IGCSE Physics Practice Questions Online
This page contains 143 practice MCQs for the chapter Properties of Waves in IGCSE (Cambridge) IGCSE Physics. The questions are organized by difficulty — 43 easy, 72 medium, 28 hard — so you can choose the right level for your preparation.
Every question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the concept, not just memorize answers. Take a timed quiz to simulate exam conditions, or practice at your own pace with no time limit.