REVISION NOTES

IGCSE Edexcel Physics

Home / IGCSE / Physics / Revision Notes / 3.1 Properties of Waves

3.1 Properties of Waves

3.1.1 Use the following units: degree (°), hertz (Hz), metre (m), metre/second (m/s) and second (s)

Angle – degrees (°)

Frequency – hertz (Hz)

Distance – metres (m)

Velocity – metres per second (m/s)

Time – second (s)

3.1.2 Explain the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves

3.1.3 Know the definitions of amplitude, wavefront, frequency, wavelength and period of a wave

3.1.4 Know that waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter

3.1.5 Know and use the relationship between the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave:

 

wave speed = frequency × wavelength

3.1.6 Use the relationship between frequency and time period:

3.1.7 Use the above relationships in different contexts, including sound waves and electromagnetic waves

3.1.8 Explain why there is a change in the observed frequency and wavelength of a wave when its source is moving relative to an observer and that this is known as the Doppler effect

3.1.9 Explain that all waves can be reflected and refracted