S2 Science: Sound Waves And Hearing (Paper 2 (intermediate))

S2 Science: Sound Waves and Hearing (Paper 2 (intermediate))

2026-11-14

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Tutor Prep Guide · Sound as a longitudinal wave needing a medium, frequency and amplitude, comparing speeds, echo ranging and uses of ultrasound

S2 Science: Sound Waves and Hearing (Paper 2 (intermediate))

This paper compares sound speeds in different media and practises period and frequency conversion, wavelength and the meaning of decibels.

Direct answers　In one medium wavelength falls as frequency rises, and the decibel is logarithmic so 10 dB more means ten times the intensity.

01　Paper details (check answers afterwards)

Item	Detail
Questions	10
Suggested time	20
Difficulty mix	Foundation 3 · Intermediate 3 · Challenge 3 · Error redo 1
Chapter	Chapter: S2 Science: Sound Waves and Hearing
Level	S2

02　Questions (10 items)

FoundationOn the Moon two astronauts speak face to face but hear nothing. Why?
FoundationA sound has a frequency of 1 kHz. What is its period?
FoundationThe speed of sound in water is about 1500 m/s. How far does it travel in 0.4 s?
IntermediateA sound pulse in water returns as an echo after 0.8 s. How far away is the reflector?
IntermediateA vibration has a period of 0.004 s. What is its frequency?
IntermediateA 20 Hz note travels in air at 340 m/s. What is its wavelength?
ChallengeWhat is sound with a frequency above 20 000 Hz called?
ChallengeOne tuning fork is 440 Hz and another is 880 Hz. How do the pitches compare?
ChallengeA sound rises from 60 dB to 70 dB. By what factor does its intensity change?
Error redoA student thinks a higher frequency must always mean a louder sound. What is wrong?

03　Answers and one-line notes

#	Answer	One-line note
1	The Moon has almost no atmosphere, so sound has no medium	Sound is carried by vibrating particles, and a vacuum has no particles.
2	0.001 s	One kilohertz is 1000 Hz, so the period is 1 divided by 1000.
3	600 m	1500 times 0.4 gives 600 m for a single journey.
4	600 m	The round trip is 1500 times 0.8 which is 1200 m, so the one way distance is 600 m.
5	250 Hz	Frequency is one over the period, so 1 divided by 0.004 gives 250 Hz.
6	17 m	Wavelength is 340 divided by 20 which is 17 m, so low notes have long wavelengths.
7	Ultrasound	It is too high for the human ear but is used in sonar and medical scanning.
8	The second is one octave higher	Doubling the frequency raises the pitch by one octave, and 880 is twice 440.
9	Ten times	Every increase of 10 dB means the intensity is ten times larger.
10	Frequency sets the pitch, while amplitude sets the loudness	Frequency and amplitude are separate quantities and should not be confused.

04　What to do after marking

After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.

For sound questions ask three things: is the journey one way or a round trip, which medium is used, and is the question about frequency or amplitude.Tutor Registration →

Questions and answers are written originally by the TutorZone team and are not taken from any school, publisher or examination authority paper. Every value is checked by computer.