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GCSE Waves 6.6.1.2
~7 min Difficulty: 6/10 7 marks
Prior knowledge multiplicationdivision
Problem structure
3 wave-speed marks, 2 time marks, 2 wave-property marks.

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A water wave has wavelength 0.80 m and frequency 2.5 Hz. (a) Calculate the wave speed. [3] (b) Calculate the time for 15 waves to pass a point. [2] (c) State the effect on wave speed if the frequency increases but the wave continues in the same water depth. [2]
Hints (reveal gradually)

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Show full worked solution
(a) v = f lambda = 2.5 x 0.80 = 2.0 m/s. (b) 15 waves at 2.5 each second take 15/2.5 = 6.0 s. (c) Wave speed stays the same in the same medium; wavelength decreases when frequency increases.

Marking guidance

Award equation, substitution and 2.0 m/s; division and 6.0 s; one mark each for same speed and wavelength adjustment.