CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ PHYSICS: END-OF-CHAPTER 12 TEST

Name ___________________________________ Date _____________

End-of-chapter 12 test
1 A learner is playing the flute. A flute is a wind instrument. The learner blows air across a hole in the
flute to produce sound (Figure 12.1).

Figure 12.1

a State what happens to the air inside the flute to make sound. [1]
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b The learner changes the sound in two different ways:
• she increases the pitch
• she increases the loudness.
State the two properties of the sound wave that change and state how they change. [3]

1 _____________________________________________________________________________

2 _____________________________________________________________________________

c The learner listens to the sound of the flute as she plays.

State the type of wave that carries the sound from the flute to her ears. [1]

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[Total: 5]

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ PHYSICS: END-OF-CHAPTER 12 TEST

2 Figure 12.2 shows a learner modelling a sound wave in a long spring.

Figure 12.2

a Complete the two labels on the figure. [2]

b On the figure, draw an arrow to show the direction that the sound would be moving. [1]
[Total: 3]
3 An electric bell is placed inside a glass jar. When the bell is switched on, inside the glass jar:
• movement of the bell can be seen
• the sound of the bell can be heard.
Air is pumped out of the glass jar. The bell can no longer be heard.
What is the reason for this? [1]
Choose one answer.

A The bell stops working.

B Sound needs a medium in which to travel.

C Sound cannot travel through glass.

D Electrical items need air to work.

4 A group of learners is investigating the speed of sound in air. They set up the equipment shown in
Figure 12.3.

Figure 12.3

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ PHYSICS: END-OF-CHAPTER 12 TEST

a Describe how the learners should use this equipment to measure the speed of sound in air.
Include how they should make their results as accurate as possible. [4]

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b Calculate the time that should be displayed on the timer in the figure. [3]

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[Total: 7]
5 A learner is investigating the speed of sound in a solid steel bar.
a Explain any difference between the speed of sound in air with the speed of sound in steel. [2]

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 CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™ PHYSICS: END-OF-CHAPTER 12 TEST

b The learner hits the end of the steel bar shown in in Figure 12.4 with a hammer.
Two sensors and data logger measure the time taken for the sound to travel from one end of the
bar to the other.

Figure 12.4

The distance between the sensors in the figure is 1.5 m.

The time taken for the sound to travel between the sensors once is 2.54 × 10–4 s.
Calculate the speed of sound in steel. [2]

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[Total: 4]
[Total: 20 marks]

END OF TEST

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