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Loudspeakers and headphones - Exam Questions.docx

Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026.

AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 2 · HIGHER TIER ONLY

Exam Practice: Loudspeakers and headphones

Loudspeakers and headphones · Magnetism and electromagnetism · Lesson 5 of 8 · 13 marks · 14 minutes

Name

Date

 

Instructions

• Answer all the questions.

• Write your answers in the spaces provided.

• The marks for each question are shown in brackets - use this as a guide to how much to write.

• The answers are on separate pages at the back. Attempt every question before you look at them.

• Answer all questions. Use the mark allocation as a guide to how much to write.

Question 1 STATE (2 marks)

What type of current flows through the coil of a loudspeaker? Describe how the cone moves.

(Total for Question 1 = 2 marks)

Question 2 EXPLAIN (4 marks)

Explain how a loudspeaker produces sound.

(Total for Question 2 = 4 marks)

Question 3 EXPLAIN (2 marks)

The frequency of the alternating current is increased. State the effect on the sound.

(Total for Question 3 = 2 marks)

Question 4 EXPLAIN (2 marks)

The amplitude of the current is increased. State the effect on the sound and explain.

(Total for Question 4 = 2 marks)

Question 5 EXPLAIN (3 marks)

Explain why the current in a loudspeaker must be alternating rather than direct.

(Total for Question 5 = 3 marks)

TOTAL FOR PAPER = 13 MARKS

 

Answers and mark scheme

Check your answer only once you have written one.

Question 1 (2 marks)

An alternating current. The cone moves back and forth (vibrates).

• Alternating current 1 mark

• Cone vibrates back and forth 1 mark

Question 2 (4 marks)

An alternating current flows in the coil, which is in the field of a permanent magnet. The motor effect gives a force on the coil that reverses as the current reverses. The coil and cone vibrate at the frequency of the current. The cone produces longitudinal sound waves.

• a.c. in a coil in a magnetic field 1 mark

• Motor effect force 1 mark

• Force changes direction so cone vibrates 1 mark

• Sound waves produced 1 mark

Question 3 (2 marks)

The pitch of the sound rises because the cone vibrates faster.

• Higher pitch / higher frequency 1 mark

• Cone vibrates faster 1 mark

Question 4 (2 marks)

The sound is louder because a larger current gives a larger force so the cone vibrates with a larger amplitude.

• Louder 1 mark

• Larger force or larger vibration 1 mark

Question 5 (3 marks)

A direct current would give a force in one direction, so the cone would only move once and stay there. An alternating current reverses the force so the cone moves back and forth and produces sound.

• d.c. gives a steady force in one direction 1 mark

• Cone only moves once/stays displaced 1 mark

• a.c. reverses the force so the cone vibrates 1 mark