Sound — Paper 2 · IGCSE Science - Combined 0653

38 Four loudspeakers each vibrate at the frequencies shown. Which loudspeaker produces the lowest-pitched sound that can be heard by a human? A 5.0 Hz B 10 Hz C 5.0 × 103 Hz D 10 × 103 Hz

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 Feb/March 2017

34 A wave travels through a substance from point X to point Y. The diagram shows the direction in which particles of the substance vibrate. X Y Which row states the type of wave involved, and gives an example of this type of wave? type of wave example A longitudinal radio B longitudinal sound C transverse radio D transverse sound

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2017

37 An electronic circuit in a fire alarm makes a loudspeaker vibrate alternately at two different frequencies. Which pair of frequencies is suitable to use in the alarm to alert people to the danger of fire? A 1.5 Hz and 15 Hz B 15 Hz and 150 000 Hz C 150 Hz and 15 000 Hz D 150 000 Hz and 15 000 000 Hz

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2017

37 An electronic circuit in a fire alarm makes a loudspeaker vibrate alternately at two different frequencies. Which pair of frequencies is suitable to use in the alarm to alert people to the danger of fire? A 1.5 Hz and 15 Hz B 15 Hz and 150 000 Hz C 150 Hz and 15 000 Hz D 150 000 Hz and 15 000 000 Hz

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2017

37 An electronic circuit in a fire alarm makes a loudspeaker vibrate alternately at two different frequencies. Which pair of frequencies is suitable to use in the alarm to alert people to the danger of fire? A 1.5 Hz and 15 Hz B 15 Hz and 150 000 Hz C 150 Hz and 15 000 Hz D 150 000 Hz and 15 000 000 Hz

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2017

37 The diagram represents a wave in air. Molecules are closer together in region P than they are in region Q. region P region Q What are the names of regions P and Q, and which type of wave is represented? region P region Q type of wave A compression rarefaction longitudinal B compression rarefaction transverse C rarefaction compression longitudinal D rarefaction compression transverse

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2017

37 The diagram represents a wave in air. Molecules are closer together in region P than they are in region Q. region P region Q What are the names of regions P and Q, and which type of wave is represented? region P region Q type of wave A compression rarefaction longitudinal B compression rarefaction transverse C rarefaction compression longitudinal D rarefaction compression transverse

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/22 Oct/Nov 2017

37 The diagram represents a wave in air. Molecules are closer together in region P than they are in region Q. region P region Q What are the names of regions P and Q, and which type of wave is represented? region P region Q type of wave A compression rarefaction longitudinal B compression rarefaction transverse C rarefaction compression longitudinal D rarefaction compression transverse

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2017

37 A sound wave travels in substance P. The sound wave then passes into a different substance Q and the speed of the sound wave decreases. What are possible substances for P and Q? P Q A air steel B air water C water air D water steel

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 Feb/March 2018

37 A student writes two sentences about sound waves. ‘A sound wave travels through the air as compressions and … X … .’ ‘The air at the compressions has a different … Y … from the air at … X … .’ What are the missing words, X and Y? X Y A rarefactions density B rarefactions state C refractions density D refractions state

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2018

37 A student writes two sentences about sound waves. ‘A sound wave travels through the air as compressions and … X … .’ ‘The air at the compressions has a different … Y … from the air at … X … .’ What are the missing words, X and Y? X Y A rarefactions density B rarefactions state C refractions density D refractions state

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2018

36 A student writes two sentences about sound waves. ‘A sound wave travels through the air as compressions and … X … .’ ‘The air at the compressions has a different … Y … from the air at … X … .’ What are the missing words, X and Y? X Y A rarefactions density B rarefactions state C refractions density D refractions state

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2018

37 The diagrams represent four different sound waves. The scales are the same in all the diagrams. Which sound has the lowest pitch? A B time time C D time time

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2018

37 The diagrams represent four different sound waves. The scales are the same in all the diagrams. Which sound has the lowest pitch? A B time time C D time time

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/22 Oct/Nov 2018

34 A musical instrument produces a note of frequency 170 Hz. The sound wave produced travels through the air at a speed of 340 m / s. Which row describes the sound wave? nature of wavelength / m wave A longitudinal 0.50 B longitudinal 2.0 C transverse 0.50 D transverse 2.0

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2018

36 The diagrams represent four different sound waves. The scales are the same in all the diagrams. Which sound has the lowest pitch? A B time time C D time time

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2018

35 Which row describes what happens to sound waves as they travel from air into water, and from water into rock? sound travelling from sound travelling from air into water water into rock A slows down slows down B slows down speeds up C speeds up slows down D speeds up speeds up

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2019

36 The amplitude of a sound wave decreases and its frequency increases. What happens to the sound heard? A It becomes louder and its pitch becomes higher. B It becomes louder and its pitch becomes lower. C It becomes quieter and its pitch becomes higher. D It becomes quieter and its pitch becomes lower.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2019

35 Which wave is longitudinal? A microwave B light wave C radio wave D sound wave

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2019

36 Where does sound travel at the greatest speed? A in a gas B in a liquid C in a solid D in a vacuum

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2019

34 Which wave is longitudinal? A infrared B radio C sound D ultraviolet

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2019

37 A student measures the speed of sound. He claps his hands and the sound reflects from a wall that is 100 m away from him. wall student electronic timer 100 m An electronic timer next to the student detects the echo of the sound 0.60 s after it is made. Which calculation gives the speed of sound? 200 200 100 100 A m / s B m / s C m / s D m / s 0.30 0.60 0.60 1 . 2

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2019

36 A student measures the speed of sound. He claps his hands and the sound reflects from a wall that is 100 m away from him. wall student electronic timer 100 m An electronic timer next to the student detects the echo of the sound 0.60 s after it is made. Which calculation gives the speed of sound? 200 200 100 100 A m / s B m / s C m / s D m / s 0.30 0.60 0.60 1 . 2

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/22 Oct/Nov 2019

37 The diagram represents a sound wave travelling in air. wave direction 1 2 3 4 5 6 Which numbered points are at the centre of a compression and which numbered points are at the centre of a rarefaction? centre of a centre of a compression rarefaction A 1 and 5 2 and 4 B 1 and 5 3 and 6 C 3 and 6 1 and 5 D 3 and 6 2 and 4

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 Oct/Nov 2019

34 What type of wave is a sound wave and in which direction do air particles vibrate as the wave passes through the air? type of wave direction of vibration A longitudinal parallel to wave direction B longitudinal perpendicular to wave direction C transverse parallel to wave direction D transverse perpendicular to wave direction

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2019

35 A boy plays a series of musical notes of increasing frequency on a violin. As the frequency of the note increases, he plays the notes more loudly. How do the amplitude and the wavelength of the sound waves change? amplitude wavelength A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2019

37 A student measures the speed of sound. He claps his hands and the sound reflects from a wall that is 100 m away from him. wall student electronic timer 100 m An electronic timer next to the student detects the echo of the sound 0.60 s after it is made. Which calculation gives the speed of sound? 200 200 100 100 A m / s B m / s C m / s D m / s 0.30 0.60 0.60 1 . 2

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2019

35 A student determines the speed of sound in air. She measures the time between making a sound and hearing the echo from a cliff. cliff student distance . She uses the equation: speed = time Which type of sound does she make and which distance does she use in her calculation? type of sound distance used A continuous sound 2 × distance to cliff 2 × distance to cliff 1 B continuous sound C short, sharp sound 2 × distance to cliff 2 × distance to cliff 1 D short, sharp sound

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 Feb/March 2020

35 The sound from a drum is loud and has a low pitch. Which row describes the amplitude and the frequency of the sound wave? amplitude frequency A large high B large low C small high D small low

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2020

37 How are sound waves transmitted in air? A by compressions and crests B by compressions and rarefactions C by crests and rarefactions D by crests and troughs

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2020

36 The sound from a drum is loud and has a low pitch. Which row describes the amplitude and the frequency of the sound wave? amplitude frequency A large high B large low C small high D small low

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2020

37 The diagram represents a wave in air. Molecules are closer together in region P than they are in region Q. region P region Q What are the names of regions P and Q, and which type of wave is represented? region P region Q type of wave A compression rarefaction longitudinal B compression rarefaction transverse C rarefaction compression longitudinal D rarefaction compression transverse

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2020

37 The diagram represents a wave in air. Molecules are closer together in region P than they are in region Q. region P region Q What are the names of regions P and Q, and which type of wave is represented? region P region Q type of wave A compression rarefaction longitudinal B compression rarefaction transverse C rarefaction compression longitudinal D rarefaction compression transverse

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/22 Oct/Nov 2020

37 The diagram represents a wave in air. Molecules are closer together in region P than they are in region Q. region P region Q What are the names of regions P and Q, and which type of wave is represented? region P region Q type of wave A compression rarefaction longitudinal B compression rarefaction transverse C rarefaction compression longitudinal D rarefaction compression transverse

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2020

35 Which waves are longitudinal? A light waves B microwaves C sound waves D X-rays

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 Feb/March 2021

35 Which statement about waves is correct? A In a longitudinal wave, the vibration of the particles is perpendicular to the direction of the wave. B In a sound wave, the vibration of the particles is parallel to the direction of the wave. C Radio waves are longitudinal waves. D Sound waves are transverse waves.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2021

36 The table shows the speed of sound in three different substances X, Y and Z. One substance is a solid, one is a liquid and one is a gas. speed of sound substance m/s X 3600 Y 1500 Z 267 Which row shows the states of the three substances? solid liquid gas A X Y Z B X Z Y C Z X Y D Z Y X

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2021

36 The speed of sound in air is approximately 330 m / s. The speed of sound in water is approximately 1500 m / s. What is a possible speed of sound in solid iron? A 120 m / s B 330 m / s C 1200 m / s D 5100 m / s

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2021

35 Sound travels at different speeds in air, glass and water. Which list shows these three materials in the order of increasing speed of sound (slowest to fastest)? A air  water  glass B glass  water  air C water  air  glass D water  glass  air

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2021

35 A wave travels through a substance from point X to point Y. The arrows show the direction in which particles of the substance vibrate. X Y Which row states the type of wave involved and gives an example of this type of wave? type of wave example A longitudinal radio B longitudinal sound C transverse radio D transverse sound

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/22 Feb/March 2022

36 What is not part of the electromagnetic spectrum? A gamma-radiation B microwaves C sound waves D X-rays

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 Feb/March 2022

36 Where does sound travel at the greatest speed? A in a gas B in a liquid C in a solid D in a vacuum

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2022

35 Where does sound travel at the greatest speed? A in a gas B in a liquid C in a solid D in a vacuum

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2022

36 Where does sound travel at the greatest speed? A in a gas B in a liquid C in a solid D in a vacuum

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2022

36 A sound wave passes through air. The diagram shows the arrangement of the air particles at one moment. Three regions are labelled X, Y and Z. X Y Z In which region is there a rarefaction and which distance is equal to the wavelength of the sound wave? rarefaction wavelength A X XY B X XZ C Y XY D Y XZ

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2022

35 Which statement about sound is not correct? A A sound wave of frequency 2000 Hz can be heard by a healthy human ear. B Sound waves can travel through a vacuum. C The loudness of a sound depends on the amplitude of the sound wave. D The pitch of a sound depends on the frequency of the sound wave.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/22 Oct/Nov 2022

35 The diagram represents a wave in air. Molecules are closer together in region P than they are in region Q. region P region Q What are the names of regions P and Q, and which type of wave is represented? region P region Q type of wave A compression rarefaction longitudinal B compression rarefaction transverse C rarefaction compression longitudinal D rarefaction compression transverse

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2023

35 The diagram represents a sound wave travelling in air. wave direction 1 2 3 4 5 6 Which numbered points are at the centre of a compression and which numbered points are at the centre of a rarefaction? centre of a centre of a compression rarefaction A 1 and 5 2 and 4 B 1 and 5 3 and 6 C 3 and 6 1 and 5 D 3 and 6 2 and 4

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2023

37 A sound wave passes through air. Which type of wave is a sound wave and in which direction do the air particles vibrate? type of wave direction of vibration A longitudinal parallel to wave direction B longitudinal perpendicular to wave direction C transverse parallel to wave direction D transverse perpendicular to wave direction

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2023

35 A sound wave passes from one medium into a second medium. What happens to the sound wave entering the second medium and why does this happen? what happens why it happens A it is reflected the frequency changes B it is reflected the speed changes C it is refracted the frequency changes D it is refracted the speed changes

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2023

38 The amplitude of a sound wave decreases and its frequency increases. What happens to the sound heard? A It becomes louder and its pitch becomes higher. B It becomes louder and its pitch becomes lower. C It becomes quieter and its pitch becomes higher. D It becomes quieter and its pitch becomes lower.

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2023

36 A loudspeaker vibrates at different frequencies. Which frequency of vibration does not produce a sound that a human can hear? A 60 Hz B 600 Hz C 6.0 kHz D 60 kHz

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/22 Oct/Nov 2023

34 A sound wave travels in air. What is the name of the region of the wave where the separation of particles is greatest? A compression B medium C rarefaction D reflection

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2023

35 A loudspeaker vibrates with different amplitudes and at different frequencies to make a sound. Which amplitude and frequency produces the louder, higher-pitched sound? A large amplitude and high frequency B large amplitude and low frequency C small amplitude and high frequency D small amplitude and low frequency

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2023

37 A student makes three statements about a sound wave in a medium. 1 The particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of travel of the wave. 2 The sound wave is a type of electromagnetic wave. 3 The sound wave is a longitudinal wave. Which statements are correct? A 1, 2 and 3 B 1 and 2 only C 1 and 3 only D 2 and 3 only

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/22 Feb/March 2024

34 A sound wave moves from a solid into a liquid. The frequency of the sound does not change. What happens to the speed and what happens to the wavelength of the sound wave? speed wavelength A decreases decreases B decreases increases C increases decreases D increases increases

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2024

36 What is not able to transmit sound waves? A a gas B a liquid C a solid D a vacuum

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/22 May/June 2024

37 Two sounds with equal frequencies are produced by a loudspeaker. The first sound has a large amplitude. The second sound has a smaller amplitude. How do the two sounds compare? A The second sound is higher pitched. B The second sound is lower pitched. C The second sound is louder. D The second sound is quieter.

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2024

36 The diagram represents a sound wave travelling from left to right in a solid. wave direction R C R is a rarefaction, and C is a compression. In which direction do R and C move, and in which direction do the particles in the solid vibrate? direction of movement direction of vibration of R and C of particles A same as wave direction parallel to wave direction B same as wave direction perpendicular to wave direction C opposite to wave direction perpendicular to wave direction D opposite to wave direction parallel to wave direction

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2024

36 Three types of wave are listed. 1 microwaves 2 sound waves 3 radio waves Which waves are longitudinal waves? A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 1 only D 2 only

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2024

36 Which terms are used to describe the nature of sound waves in air? A compressions and crests B compressions and rarefactions C crests and rarefactions D crests and troughs

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/22 Feb/March 2025

36 Sound travels in solids, liquids and gases. The speed of sound is different in each state. Which row shows the state with the lowest and highest speed? lowest speed highest speed A liquid solid B gas solid C solid gas D solid liquid

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/21 May/June 2025

35 Which statement about waves is correct? A In a longitudinal wave, the vibration of the particles is at right angles to the direction of the wave. B In a sound wave, the vibration of the particles is parallel to the direction of the wave. C Radio waves are longitudinal waves. D Sound waves are transverse waves.

1 marks

Answer: B

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2025

36 A student measures the time taken for sound to travel a distance of 1.0 m in air, in water and in steel. The student puts the three materials in order of time taken, from shortest time to longest time. Which order is correct? A air  steel  water B air  water  steel C steel  water  air D water  steel  air

1 marks

Answer: C

This question in 0653/23 May/June 2025

36 The table shows the speed of sound in three different substances, X, Y and Z. One substance is a solid, one is a liquid and one is a gas. speed of sound substance m / s X 3600 Y 1500 Z 267 Which row identifies the states of the three substances? solid liquid gas A X Y Z B X Z Y C Z X Y D Z Y X

1 marks

Answer: A

This question in 0653/21 Oct/Nov 2025

36 Which row describes what happens to sound waves as they travel from air into water and from water into rock? sound travelling from sound travelling from air into water water into rock A slows down slows down B slows down speeds up C speeds up slows down D speeds up speeds up

1 marks

Answer: D

This question in 0653/23 Oct/Nov 2025