AQA · Physics · 8463
GCSE Physics: Waves for detection and exploration
Waves · AQA GCSE Physics (8463), specification point 4.6.1.5. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Waves for detection and exploration", and every card links back to the page it came from. Higher tier only. Separate science only. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.
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What defines ultrasound waves in terms of frequency?
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They have a frequency higher than the upper limit of human hearing (above about 20 kHz).
What happens to ultrasound waves at a boundary between two different media?
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They are partially reflected.
How is ultrasound used to find the distance to a hidden boundary?
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The time taken for the reflection to reach a detector is measured; since the wave speed is known, distance = speed × time ÷ 2.
Give two fields in which ultrasound imaging is used.
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Medical imaging (e.g. scanning a foetus) and industrial imaging (e.g. detecting cracks in metal).
What produces seismic waves?
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Earthquakes.
P-waves are ? seismic waves.
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longitudinal
S-waves are ? seismic waves.
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transverse
Which type of seismic wave cannot travel through a liquid?
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S-waves (transverse waves cannot pass through liquids).
How do P-waves behave when passing from solids into liquids?
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They travel at different speeds through solids and liquids, so they refract (change direction) at the boundary.
What evidence do S-waves give about the Earth's outer core?
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S-waves cannot pass through it, so the outer core must be liquid.
What do P-waves and S-waves together provide evidence for?
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The structure and size of the Earth's core.
What is echo sounding used for?
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Detecting objects in deep water and measuring water depth, using high-frequency sound waves.
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