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Leaving Cert Physics: Wave properties

How often Wave properties comes up on the Physics papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 7 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

OL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

June 2027 is the first exam on the new Physics course. These come from the 2016–2026 papers, so read them as a guide.

Wave properties, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Wave properties.

(a)Equation linking wave speed, frequency and wavelength?
  1. c = f/λ
  2. c = fλ
  3. c = λ/f
(b)A sound of frequency 500 Hz travels at 340 m s⁻¹. Its wavelength?
  1. 170 000 m
  2. 1.47 m
  3. 0.68 m
(c)Unit of frequency?
  1. Hertz (Hz)
  2. Metre (m)
  3. Second (s)
Show the answers

(a) c = fλ

(b) 0.68 m

(c) Hertz (Hz)

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Wave properties.

Higher Level

Asked on 7 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Not asked
2025Q8
2024Not asked
2023Q6(f)
2022Q6(e)
2021Not asked
2019Q5(d)
2018Q11
2017Q7
2016Q5(d)

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Wave properties questions

Wave properties, 2 marks

Define the amplitude of a wave.

  1. The distance between two successive crests or two successive troughs
  2. The number of complete waves passing a point each second
  3. The maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position
Show the answer

The maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position

Amplitude is linked to the energy carried: a louder sound or a brighter light has a larger amplitude. Crest to crest is the wavelength.

Wave properties, 2 marks

What is the key difference between a mechanical wave and an electromagnetic wave?

  1. Only mechanical waves carry energy
  2. A mechanical wave needs a medium; an electromagnetic wave does not
  3. An electromagnetic wave needs a medium; a mechanical wave does not
Show the answer

A mechanical wave needs a medium; an electromagnetic wave does not

Sound and water waves need particles to vibrate. Light, radio and X-rays are electromagnetic and can cross the vacuum of space.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q13
2025Q8
2024Q6(e)
2023Q10
2022Q10
2021Q8
2019Q7
2018Q8, Q11
2017Q8
2016Q7

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Wave properties questions

Wave properties, 2 marks

Define the wavelength of a wave.

  1. The height of a crest above the rest position
  2. The number of waves passing a point each second
  3. The distance between two successive crests
Show the answer

The distance between two successive crests

Wavelength, λ, is measured in metres. The height of a crest is the amplitude and waves per second is the frequency.

Wave properties, 2 marks

Which of these is a transverse wave?

  1. Ultrasound
  2. Light
  3. Sound
Show the answer

Light

In a transverse wave the vibration is at right angles to the direction the wave travels. Sound and ultrasound are longitudinal.

Wave properties, 2 marks

Define the frequency of a wave.

  1. The number of waves passing a point each second
  2. The distance between two successive crests
  3. The maximum displacement from the rest position
Show the answer

The number of waves passing a point each second

Frequency, f, is measured in hertz (Hz). 1 Hz means one complete wave each second.

Other Physics topics

All of Leaving Cert Physics