Motion graphs and wave graphs: read the axes
Both kinds of graph may show displacement, but the horizontal axis changes what you can infer. A time trace follows one point; a wave snapshot shows many points at one instant.
Follow the reasoning
- Decide whether the horizontal axis is time or position.
- Read a full cycle as a period or a wavelength accordingly.
- Use wave speed = frequency × wavelength only with the appropriate quantities.
Try it in a past paper 6
Open the question, then use its mark scheme to check your work.
Question 5
Relate the frequency of an open pipe to its length.
Build the supporting skills. Practise Wave motion before exploring this connection. This question has not been checked as a combined example of the connection.
Question 16
Use a bouncing ball’s velocity–time graph to find the largest momentum-change rate.
Build the supporting skills. Practise Kinematics before exploring this connection. This question has not been checked as a combined example of the connection.
Question 20
Relate wave amplitude to intensity.
Build the supporting skills. Practise Wave motion before exploring this connection. This question has not been checked as a combined example of the connection.
Question 23(c)
Explain how stationary waves form in a microwave oven and cause uneven heating.
Build the supporting skills. Practise Wave motion before exploring this connection. This question has not been checked as a combined example of the connection.
Show 2 more paper references
Question 1
Find train deceleration and stopping distance, then evaluate the motion model.
Build the supporting skills. Practise Kinematics before exploring this connection. This question has not been checked as a combined example of the connection.
Question 3(a)
Compare the direction and speed of charge carriers moving through filter paper.
Build the supporting skills. Practise Kinematics before exploring this connection. This question has not been checked as a combined example of the connection.
A curated collection checked against the question papers and mark schemes; not a complete past-paper catalogue. Links open official OCR PDFs in a new tab.
Put the ideas to work
More practice is on its way
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Specification outcomes (4)
- 3.1.1(b) Interpret graphical representations of displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration.
- 3.1.1(c) Use displacement–time graphs to determine velocity as the gradient.
- 4.4.1(b)(i) Define displacement, amplitude, wavelength, period, phase difference, frequency and speed of a wave.
- 4.4.1(e) Interpret graphs of transverse and longitudinal waves.