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O-LevelPhysicsWaves5054/11 · May/June 2025 · Q251 Mark

A sound wave consists of compressions and rarefactions. Which type of wave is sound and how does the pressure in a rarefaction compare with the pressure in a compression?

Atype of wave: longitudinal, pressure in a rarefaction: smaller

Btype of wave: longitudinal, pressure in a rarefaction: greater

Ctype of wave: transverse, pressure in a rarefaction: smaller

Dtype of wave: transverse, pressure in a rarefaction: greater

✓ Correct answer

A: type of wave: longitudinal, pressure in a rarefaction: smaller

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About this question

Topic: Waves, O-Level Physics (syllabus 5054). Multiple choice, 1 mark.
Source: O-Level Physics, May/June 2025 Paper 1 Variant 1, question 25.

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