se/physics/edexcel/questions","basePath":"/gcse/physics/edexcel/wave-properties-and-behaviour/questions","formulaUrl":null,"initialIndex":57,"initialQuestionWindow":[{"id":"536d5b6e-c8d3-4c53-9b62-59e51de7689d","revisionId":"7bb133d5-0e55-4b89-bcea-3bd9e7dd29ee","questionNumber":null,"questionType":"LA","specification":"Figure 1 shows a high-resolution surface profile of a micro-patterned silicon diffraction grating, measured using an atomic force microscope. The vertical axis shows the surface displacement (height variation) of the micro-grooves, while the horizontal axis shows the distance along the grating.\n\n![Figure 1](https://assets.mathsgenie.co.uk/aqa-qb/76eceea2-cbc3-4e1a-b513-ac31c26d52f5.png)","difficulty":4,"difficultyBand":"easy","totalMarks":2,"sourceTitle":null,"calculatorUse":null,"parts":[{"id":"5365eebd-9c92-40a1-b580-c64b79f16627","label":null,"content":"Use the data in Figure 1 to calculate the wavelength of the surface wave pattern on the silicon grating. Give your answer in micrometres ($\\mu\\text{m}$).","markscheme":"- Identifies a valid method to determine the wavelength from the graph (e.g., reading the position of one full cycle at $6\\ \\mu\\text{m}$, finding the distance between adjacent peaks as $7.5 - 1.5 = 6\\ \\mu\\text{m}$, or dividing total distance by the number of cycles: $\\frac{15}{2.5}$ or $\\frac{12}{2}$) M1\n- Obtains a final wavelength of $6\\ \\mu\\text{m}$ (or $6 \\times 10^{-6}\\ \\text{m}$) with correct units A1","marks":2,"order":0,"markingRubric":null,"explanation":{"methods":[{"id":"read_adjacent_peaks","label":"Read adjacent peaks","steps":[{"type":"text","order":0,"title":"Read adjacent peaks","content":"Read the horizontal positions of two neighbouring peaks from the supplied graph: $1.5\\,\\mu\\text{m}$ and $7.5\\,\\mu\\text{m}$. Adjacent peaks are one complete wavelength apart, so subtracting their positions is a valid method and earns the method mark (M1).","highlights":[{"text":"Use the data in Figure 1 to calculate the wavelength","location":"specification"}]},{"type":"hyper_latex","block":{"nodes":[{"latex":"\\lambda = 7.5\\,\\mu\\text{m} - 1.5\\,\\mu\\text{m}"},{"latex":"\\lambda = \\htmlData{anchor=answer}{6\\,\\mu\\text{m}}"},{"text":"Therefore, the wavelength is 6 μm, including the correct unit, which earns the accuracy mark (A1)."}],"highlights":[{"color":"green","style":"box","anchor":"answer"}]},"order":1,"title":"Subtract peak positions","description":"Adjacent peaks are one wavelength apart, so subtract their horizontal positions."}]}],"generatedAt":"2026-07-22T11:26:48.223Z","modelVersion":"gpt-5.6-terra+diagrams-1","explanationVersion":"v3"},"options":[]}],"options":[],"explanation":null,"firstAttemptFullMarks":null},{"id":"55ffd9f3-b662-4a3b-b297-3e381c78f518","revisionId":"ff90ce12-54f7-4f2c-a213-097d03020827","questionNumber":null,"questionType":"LA","specification":"Primary (P-waves) seismic waves are longitudinal waves. Secondary (S-waves) seismic waves are transverse waves.","difficulty":3,"difficultyBand":"easy","totalMarks":3,"sourceTitle":null,"calculatorUse":null,"parts":[{"id":"cecfc64e-16df-41b8-bd29-0112e9c1e422","label":null,"content":"Describe the difference between the movement of particles in longitudinal waves and transverse waves.","markscheme":"- States that for longitudinal waves, the direction of vibration or oscillation is parallel to (or in the same direction as) the direction of wave travel or energy transfer B1\n- States that for transverse waves, the direction of vibration or oscillation is perpendicular (at right angles) to the direction of wave travel or energy transfer B1\n- Correctly relates the direction of oscillation/vibration of both waves to the direction of wave travel or energy transfer B1","marks":3,"order":0,"markingRubric":null,"explanation":{"methods":[{"id":"compare_particle_motion","label":"Compare particle movement","steps":[{"type":"drawing","order":0,"title":"Picture the movements","width":838,"height":588,"shapes":[{"id":"long_vi

Wave properties and behaviour

Question 40

Wave properties and behaviour Questions

Wave properties and behaviour

Question 40

Wave properties and behaviour Questions