IGCSE Practice

Cambridge IGCSE·Combined Sciences 0653·Physics Waves
📋Key knowledge — Waves

Formulas & equations

  • Wave speed = frequency × wavelength (v = fλ)
  • Period = 1 ÷ frequency (T = 1/f)
  • Snell's law: n₁ sin θ₁ = n₂ sin θ₂
  • Refractive index: n = sin i ÷ sin r = speed in vacuum ÷ speed in medium
  • Critical angle: sin C = 1/n

Key facts & rules

  • Transverse wave: oscillations perpendicular to direction of travel (light, water, EM waves).
  • Longitudinal wave: oscillations parallel to direction of travel (sound, P-waves).
  • Amplitude: maximum displacement from equilibrium — related to energy/loudness.
  • Frequency (Hz): number of complete waves per second.
  • Wavelength: distance between two adjacent identical points.
  • Reflection: angle of incidence = angle of reflection (measured from normal).
  • Refraction: wave changes speed when entering a new medium → changes direction.
  • Total internal reflection: occurs when angle of incidence > critical angle (light going dense → less dense).
  • Electromagnetic spectrum (low to high frequency): radio → microwave → infrared → visible → UV → X-ray → gamma.
  • All EM waves travel at 3 × 10⁸ m/s in a vacuum.

IGCSE Physics — Waves

28 Cambridge IGCSE 0653 Combined Sciences past paper questions on waves, across Theory, Multiple Choice and Alternative to Practical.

About Waves on IGCSE 0653

Waves transfer energy without transferring matter. Transverse waves (light, water) have oscillations perpendicular to travel; longitudinal waves (sound) have oscillations parallel to travel. The electromagnetic spectrum includes radio waves through gamma rays.

What's covered:

Theory

Papers 3 & 4 · 3 questions · Structured written questions with mark scheme answers.
Waves — Core2 · Paper 3

Exercise 1 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 33 Q9

Cambridge past paperCore9 marks Paper 33May/Jun 2023
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 33 Q9 — Waves
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frequency

Exercise 2 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 33 Q6

Cambridge past paperCore9 marks Paper 33May/Jun 2024
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2024 Paper 33 Q6 — Waves
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infrared (waves)
Waves — Extended1 · Paper 4

Exercise 1 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 41 Q9

Cambridge past paperExtended8 marks Paper 41May/Jun 2023
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 41 Q9 — Waves
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angle of incidence = angle of reflection AND angles measured to the normal
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Multiple choice

Papers 1 & 2 · 25 questions · Click A–D to check your answer instantly.
Waves — Core MCQ7 · Paper 1

Question 1 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 12 Q32

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12Mar 2025
IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 12 Q32 — Waves
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Correct answer: D

Question 2 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 12 Q33

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12Mar 2025
IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 12 Q33 — Waves
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Correct answer: C

Question 3 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 12 Q35

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12May/Jun 2023
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 12 Q35 — Waves
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Correct answer: B

Question 4 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 11 Q36

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 11May/Jun 2023
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 11 Q36 — Waves
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Correct answer: C

Question 5 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 12 Q36

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 12May/Jun 2023
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 12 Q36 — Waves
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Correct answer: B

Question 6 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 11 Q32

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 11May/Jun 2025
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 11 Q32 — Waves
Show answer
Correct answer: A

Question 7 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 11 Q33

Cambridge past paperCore1 mark Paper 11May/Jun 2025
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 11 Q33 — Waves
Show answer
Correct answer: B
Waves — Extended MCQ18 · Paper 2

Question 1 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2024 Paper 22 Q34

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22Mar 2024
IGCSE 0653 Mar 2024 Paper 22 Q34 — Waves
Show answer
Correct answer: C

Question 2 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2024 Paper 22 Q35

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22Mar 2024
IGCSE 0653 Mar 2024 Paper 22 Q35 — Waves
Show answer
Correct answer: A

Question 3 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2024 Paper 22 Q36

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22Mar 2024
IGCSE 0653 Mar 2024 Paper 22 Q36 — Waves
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Correct answer: A

Question 4 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 22 Q31

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22Mar 2025
IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 22 Q31 — Waves
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Correct answer: C

Question 5 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 22 Q32

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22Mar 2025
IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 22 Q32 — Waves
Show answer
Correct answer: A

Question 6 — IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 22 Q33

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22Mar 2025
IGCSE 0653 Mar 2025 Paper 22 Q33 — Waves
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Correct answer: B

Question 7 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 22 Q35

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22May/Jun 2023
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2023 Paper 22 Q35 — Waves
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Correct answer: C

Question 8 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 21 Q33

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 21May/Jun 2025
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 21 Q33 — Waves
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Correct answer: C

Question 9 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 21 Q34

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 21May/Jun 2025
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 21 Q34 — Waves
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Correct answer: D

Question 10 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 22 Q34

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22May/Jun 2025
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 22 Q34 — Waves
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Correct answer: B

Question 11 — IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 22 Q35

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22May/Jun 2025
IGCSE 0653 May/Jun 2025 Paper 22 Q35 — Waves
Show answer
Correct answer: D

Question 12 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 21 Q34

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 21Oct/Nov 2023
IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 21 Q34 — Waves
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Correct answer: D

Question 13 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 22 Q34

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22Oct/Nov 2023
IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 22 Q34 — Waves
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Correct answer: A

Question 14 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 23 Q34

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 23Oct/Nov 2023
IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 23 Q34 — Waves
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Correct answer: C

Question 15 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 21 Q35

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 21Oct/Nov 2023
IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 21 Q35 — Waves
Show answer
Correct answer: D

Question 16 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 22 Q35

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 22Oct/Nov 2023
IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 22 Q35 — Waves
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Correct answer: B

Question 17 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 23 Q35

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 23Oct/Nov 2023
IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 23 Q35 — Waves
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Correct answer: A

Question 18 — IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 21 Q36

Cambridge past paperExtended1 mark Paper 21Oct/Nov 2023
IGCSE 0653 Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 21 Q36 — Waves
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Correct answer: C
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All Waves questions in this collection

TypeLevelPaperSessionQ#MarksAnswer / key
MCQCorePaper 12Mar 2025Q321 markD
MCQCorePaper 12Mar 2025Q331 markC
MCQCorePaper 12May/Jun 2023Q351 markB
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2023Q361 markC
MCQCorePaper 12May/Jun 2023Q361 markB
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2025Q321 markA
MCQCorePaper 11May/Jun 2025Q331 markB
MCQExtendedPaper 22Mar 2024Q341 markC
MCQExtendedPaper 22Mar 2024Q351 markA
MCQExtendedPaper 22Mar 2024Q361 markA
MCQExtendedPaper 22Mar 2025Q311 markC
MCQExtendedPaper 22Mar 2025Q321 markA
MCQExtendedPaper 22Mar 2025Q331 markB
MCQExtendedPaper 22May/Jun 2023Q351 markC
MCQExtendedPaper 21May/Jun 2025Q331 markC
MCQExtendedPaper 21May/Jun 2025Q341 markD
MCQExtendedPaper 22May/Jun 2025Q341 markB
MCQExtendedPaper 22May/Jun 2025Q351 markD
MCQExtendedPaper 21Oct/Nov 2023Q341 markD
MCQExtendedPaper 22Oct/Nov 2023Q341 markA
MCQExtendedPaper 23Oct/Nov 2023Q341 markC
MCQExtendedPaper 21Oct/Nov 2023Q351 markD
MCQExtendedPaper 22Oct/Nov 2023Q351 markB
MCQExtendedPaper 23Oct/Nov 2023Q351 markA
MCQExtendedPaper 21Oct/Nov 2023Q361 markC
TheoryCorePaper 33May/Jun 2023Q99 marksfrequency
TheoryCorePaper 33May/Jun 2024Q69 marksinfrared (waves)
TheoryExtendedPaper 41May/Jun 2023Q98 marksangle of incidence = angle of reflection AND angles measured to the normal

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