a ‘pulse’ that travels through a material caused by the vibrations of particles.

a wave, such as a sound wave, where the vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer

the material through which a wave travels

Sound waves

Science

Water waves

Speed of sound

Hearing sound

Ultrasound

In the Measuring waves unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to learn about the measurable features of a wave, the relationship between them and the wave equation.

In the Making images unit, pupils learnt that white light is made of different colours that can be detected by the eye, and how pinhole cameras and lenses form clear images.

This unit explores the nature of sound and water waves, including transverse and longitudinal motion, wave reflection, superposition, and the speed of sound in various media. It covers sound production, detection, and auditory ranges, emphasising data interpretation, and basic calculations.

Waves

A sound wave is an example of a wave in which the vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer. This type of wave is called a {{}} wave.

The material through which a wave travels, such as air or water, is called the {{}}.

There are no electrostatic forces between the particles in a liquid.

The attractions between particles are stronger in solids than in liquids.

Electrostatic repulsion forces act all the time between the particles in a gas.

Which of the following statements about forces between particles in solids, liquids and gases are correct?

When one particle in a solid is disturbed, many are disturbed.

The particles have higher speeds in solids, so collide more frequently.

The particles are much closer together in solids, so collide more easily.

Which of the following explain why sound waves travel faster in solids than in liquids?

by touching their helmets together when they speak

by resting their heads on the ground, in their helmets, when they speak

Two astronauts stand on the Moon wearing space suits and helmets because there is no air. They usually communicate using radios, but their radios break. How can they talk to each other? 

The drum skin moves upwards, knocking air particles upwards.

These collide with particles in front of them and may slow or change direction.

The drum skin moves downwards, leaving an empty space above it.

Some nearby particles move into the gap, because of their random motions.

This creates a gap further up, which is soon filled by moving particles.

Starting with the vibrating drum skin, sort the following statements to describe how a vibrating drum skin makes a sound wave.

In a wave, the direction of energy transfer is __________ the direction of wave travel.

In a transverse wave such as a water wave, the vibrations are __________ to the direction of energy transfer.

Which of the following words have the same meaning?

Which of the following words describes a solid that is not easy to bend, stretch or squash?

The particles in a gas can collide with each other.

The particles in a liquid are in a fixed arrangement.

The particles are much closer together in liquids than in gases.

The particles are much closer together in solids than in liquids.

Which of the following statements about particles in solids, liquids and gases are correct?

They must include pictures or 3D objects.

They must exactly match what we know about the real world.

Some details may be left out of a model if that makes it easier to use.

Which of the following statements about scientific models are correct?

Starter Quiz

In a wave, the direction of energy transfer is __________ the direction of wave travel.