3 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows a man lying down on a sandy beach on a sunny day. Fig. 3.1 Visible light is one type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun. The man is also affected by ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the Sun. Fig. 3.2 shows the electromagnetic spectrum. X-rays X visible light micro- waves Fig. 3.2 Identify X in Fig. 3.2 and state one effect it will have on the man. X is … effect … … [2] (b) The man stands up. There is a mark in the sand to show where he was lying. When he stands up, his feet make deeper marks in the sand. Explain why the marks are deeper in the sand when he is standing. … … … … [2] (c) Fig. 3.3 shows the man holding a beach ball. Fig. 3.3 (i) The ball has a mass of 0.25 kg. The ball exerts a downward force on the man’s hand of 2.45 N. Calculate the gravitational field strength, g. g = … N / kg [2] (ii) The man throws the ball vertically upwards in the air. He catches it as it falls down. Complete the sentences about energy below. The ball gains … energy as it moves upwards. The ball gains … energy as it falls down. [2] (d) The man throws the ball to a friend. The friend catches the ball 4.2 s later. The distance travelled by the ball is 15 m. Show that the average speed of the ball is 3.6 m / s. [1] [Total: 9]

3(a) X is: ultraviolet ; effect: sunburn ; 2 3(b) pressure due to weight ; over smaller area on feet / over larger area lying down ; 2 3(c)(i) W = mg (in any form) / g = 2.45 / 0.25 ; (g =) 9.8 (N / kg) ; 2 3(c)(ii) gravitational potential ; kinetic ; in this order 2 3(d) 15 / 4.2 (= 3.6 m / s) ; 1 (a) To earn marks, you must identify X as 'ultraviolet' and state a correct effect on the man, such as 'sunburn'. (b) You need to explain that the pressure is due to the man's weight and that this weight is distributed over a smaller area when standing compared to lying down.

3 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows a wave. X Y Fig. 3.1 Use Fig. 3.1 to complete the two sentences about the wave. • X shows the … of the wave. • Y shows the … of the wave. [2] (b) Table 3.1 shows the frequency ranges of sounds emitted by different species of whale. Table 3.1 species frequency range / Hz beluga whale 40–60 000 blue whale 10–39 dwarf minke whale 50–9 400 fin whale 16–40 State which species of whale emits sounds that are all heard by a healthy human ear. Give a reason for your answer. species of whale … reason … … [2] (c) A whale is swimming at a constant speed. (i) State the size of the resultant force on the whale. Give a reason for your answer. resultant force = … N reason … … [1] (ii) The whale swims at a constant speed of 6.1 m / s for 15 minutes. Calculate the distance the whale travels in this time. distance = … m [3] (iii) Energy is transferred while the whale is swimming. Complete the boxes to show the energy transfers that take place. chemical potential energy in the whale’s body … energy of the moving whale + … energy in the sea [2] [Total: 10]

3(a) X wavelength ; Y amplitude ; 2 3(b) dwarf minke (whale) ; all within audible frequency range of 20–20 000 Hz ; 2 3(c)(i) zero / 0 (N) AND (at constant speed there is) no resultant force ; 1 3(c)(ii) conversion of minutes to seconds / 15 × 60 = 900 ; distance = speed × time in any form / 6.1 × 900 ; 5500 (m); 3 3(c)(iii) kinetic ; thermal ; 2

3 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows the seven regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. gamma rays X-rays ultraviolet visible light infrared microwaves radio waves Fig. 3.1 (i) State the region of the electromagnetic spectrum that is used for satellite television. … [1] (ii) State the region of the electromagnetic spectrum that causes sunburn. … [1] (b) Fig. 3.2 shows a wave. direction of movement of the wave Fig. 3.2 (i) On Fig. 3.2, draw a double-headed arrow (↔ or ↕) to show one wavelength. [1] (ii) It takes 40 seconds for 100 wavelengths to pass a point. Calculate the frequency of the wave. frequency = … Hz [2] (c) Fig. 3.3 shows a student standing at a distance from a cliff. cliff Fig. 3.3 (not to scale) The student makes a loud sound. After 3.6 seconds, the student hears the echo of the sound reflected back from the cliff. The speed of sound in air is 330 m / s. Calculate the distance of the student from the cliff. distance = … m [3] [Total: 8]

3(a)(i) microwave(s) ; 1 3(a)(ii) ultraviolet ; 1 3(b)(i) double-headed arrow between any two equivalent points on adjacent waves, e.g. ; 1 3(b)(ii) frequency = number of waves per second / 100 ÷ 40 ; 2.5 (Hz) ; 2 3(c) speed = distance ÷ time in any form / 330 × 3.6 ; (total distance travelled =) 1188 OR idea of, distance / time, being halved ; 590 ; 3

3 (a) Fig. 3.1 shows the seven regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. gamma rays X-rays ultraviolet visible light infrared microwaves radio waves Fig. 3.1 (i) State the region of the electromagnetic spectrum that is used for satellite television. … [1] (ii) State the region of the electromagnetic spectrum that causes sunburn. … [1] (b) Fig. 3.2 shows a wave. direction of movement of the wave Fig. 3.2 (i) On Fig. 3.2, draw a double-headed arrow (↔ or ↕) to show one wavelength. [1] (ii) It takes 40 seconds for 100 wavelengths to pass a point. Calculate the frequency of the wave. frequency = … Hz [2] (c) Fig. 3.3 shows a student standing at a distance from a cliff. cliff Fig. 3.3 (not to scale) The student makes a loud sound. After 3.6 seconds, the student hears the echo of the sound reflected back from the cliff. The speed of sound in air is 330 m / s. Calculate the distance of the student from the cliff. distance = … m [3] [Total: 8]

3(a)(i) microwave(s) ; 1 3(a)(ii) ultraviolet ; 1 3(b)(i) double-headed arrow between any two equivalent points on adjacent waves, e.g. ; 1 3(b)(ii) frequency = number of waves per second / 100 ÷ 40 ; 2.5 (Hz) ; 2 3(c) speed = distance ÷ time in any form / 330 × 3.6 ; (total distance travelled =) 1188 OR idea of, distance / time, being halved ; 590 ; 3

Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science · 0653

IGCSE Combined Science (0653) Waves past paper questions

Revise IGCSE Combined Science (0653) — Waves with real Cambridge past-paper questions grouped by topic, each shown with its marking scheme. Working one topic at a time targets exactly the skill each question tests.

342 free questions from 2016–2021, each with its marking scheme. Open the full topical bank to filter by subtopic, paper, and year.

Waves in IGCSE Combined Science 0653 exams, 2020–2025

Across 2020–2025, Waves accounted for 294 questions worth 1,113 marks in Cambridge IGCSE Combined Science (0653) papers.

By year
Year	Questions	Marks
2020	42	181
2021	56	214
2022	46	174
2023	56	231
2024	50	192
2025	44	121

Most-tested subtopics

P3.3 Electromagnetic spectrum482 marks
P3.2 Light473 marks
P3.1 General properties of waves363 marks

Appears in

Paper 1 · 83 qs
Paper 2 · 108 qs
Paper 3 · 47 qs
Paper 4 · 43 qs
Paper 5 · 6 qs
Paper 6 · 7 qs

All most-tested Combined Science topics

2021 May/Jun · Paper 3 · Q3 · 9 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q3 · 10 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q3 · 8 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 Oct/Nov · Paper 3 · Q3 · 8 marks
Marking scheme
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2021 May/Jun · Paper 1 · Q33 · 1 mark
Marking scheme
Mark scheme — 2021 Paper 1 Q33
Answer: D
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