Three and four mark questions
These are similar to one and two mark questions but you will be expected to write in more depth for three and four mark questions.
Sample question 1 - Foundation and Higher
Question
A microphone connected to an oscilloscope picks up the sound from a siren. The trace produced on the oscilloscope screen is shown below.
Describe how the wave changes as it goes across the screen from left to right. [3 marks]
Edexcel question courtesy of Pearson Education Ltd.
The amplitude is decreasing, the wavelength is increasing so the frequency is decreasing.
Sample question 2 - Higher
Question
Look at the image below. A ray of light changes direction as it travels from plastic into air. Explain why this happens. [3 marks]
This question has been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.
The wave refracts away from the normal because the wave is moving into a less dense medium. Light travels faster in air than in plastic.
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Ultrasonic waves can be safely used to examine a developing baby inside its mother's womb. Describe how ultrasound is used to produce an image of the developing baby. [3 marks]
This question has been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.
The time for the ultrasound wave to travel to the baby and be reflected is measured. The speed of the ultrasound in the tissue is known. So the computer can calculate the distance to each part of the baby and use this to construct an image.