Free worksheet and solutions · AQA GCSE · 8463 / 8464
AQA GCSE Physics Wave Speed Required Practical Worksheet
AQA GCSE wave-speed practical worksheet with answers. Measure frequency and wavelength, calculate speed, interpret evidence and improve wave measurements.
What is covered
Questions and skills covered
The worksheet contains 6 pages of printable questions. A separate 6-page solutions PDF makes it easy to mark, review or share answers after the activity.
- Energy transfer without bulk movement of the medium
- Transverse oscillation direction
- Amplitude versus wavelength
- Period and frequency
- Counting complete wavelength intervals
- Reading a calibrated still image
- Wave speed from frequency and wavelength
- Centimetre-to-metre conversions
- Frequency and period from timing several complete oscillations
- Mean of repeated timing readings
- Real recording time versus slowed playback
- Effect of reaction-time error on a long timed interval
- Measuring solid-cord wavelength with a supplied half-wave-loop rule
- Vibration-generator frequency setting
- Calculation chains for water and a solid
- Measurement method for both apparatus types
- Projection calibration and systematic errors
- Appropriate controls and electrical precautions
- Scaffolded six-mark ripple-tank speed method
About this activity
A science-centre technician commissions a ripple tank and a vibrating solid-cord display, checking measurements, wave-speed calculations and a usable measurement procedure.
Before you start
After teaching wave quantities, transverse motion, v=fλ, T=1/f and basic ripple-tank/solid-wave methods. The half-wave-loop rule is supplied; no A-level standing-wave knowledge is needed.
A question from the worksheet
Question5(a), pupil page5
In a water-wave test at8.0Hz, five complete wavelengths span6.0cm. Find wavelength in metres and wave speed.
Show the answer
λ=(6.0/5)/100=0.012m. v=8.0×0.012=0.096m/s.
Common error: Counting crests rather than intervals, confusing amplitude with wavelength, or using slowed playback time instead of real recording time.
Revise the physics
Specification fit
AQA GCSE Physics Worksheets
8463 and 8464 · 4.6.1.1, 4.6.1.2, 6.6.1.1, 6.6.1.2
- 8463: 4.6.1.1, 4.6.1.2
- 8464: 6.6.1.1, 6.6.1.2
Choose the correct pathway: Combined Trilogy 8464 and Separate Physics 8463, both tiers. Water and solid-wave RP20/RP8 preparation; the loop-to-wavelength rule is supplied. Not practical-completion certification.
Classroom use
Use the worksheet for class practice, homework, intervention, cover work or revision. Keep the PhysicsUK attribution intact when sharing copies with pupils.