the crest of a wave is the top or peak of the wave.

the trough of a wave is the lowest point of the wave.

wavelength of a transverse wave is the distance between one wave crest (or trough) and the next.

the amplitude of a wave is the maximum distance that each part of the wave moves from its normal position as a wave passes.

the displacement of a wave is the distance that each part of the wave moves from its rest position as a wave passes.

Transverse waves

Physics

Representing transverse waves

Representing longitudinal waves

Oscilloscope

Measuring the speed of water waves from distance and time

The wave equation

Using the wave speed equations

Measuring waves in a ripple tank

Measuring waves on a string

Measuring the speed of sound in air and solids

Human hearing

Probing planet Earth

In the Electromagnetic waves unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about the reflection and refraction of light, other types of electromagnetic radiation in the EM spectrum and the helpful and harmful effects of each type of radiation.

In the Waves unit, pupils learnt about the properties and propagation of transverse and longitudinal waves.

This unit covers wave motion, including amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and velocity. It explains transverse and longitudinal waves, reflection, and absorption. The focus is on measuring wave speed, and sound interactions, applying formulas, and conducting accurate experiments.

Measuring waves

the wave medium is the material that a wave can move through.

displacement at a point of a wave is the distance that the wave medium is from its rest position.

period (of a wave), T, is the time for a complete wave to pass any point, which is the same as the time to make one complete wave.

frequency is the number of waves produced each second. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).

each part of a longitudinal wave oscillates forward and backward in the same direction in which the wave moves.

part of a longitudinal wave in which parts of the wave are squashed closer together is called a compression.

part of a longitudinal wave in which parts of the wave are spaced further apart is called a rarefaction.

the wavelength of a longitudinal wave is the distance along the wave between one compression and the next.

the amplitude of a longitudinal wave is the maximum distance each part of the wave moves forward or backward.

an oscilloscope is a piece of equipment that can display a representation of a sound wave.

a displacement-time graph shows how the displacement of one part of a wave changes as the wave moves forward.

the period of a wave is the time for one complete oscillation.

the frequency of a wave is the number of complete oscillations in one second.

the loudness of a sound wave is a measure of how loud it is.

A random error is caused by unpredictable factors that affect the measurement of a variable.

Uncertainty is an estimate of how far from the true value a measurement might be. It is equal to half the range of repeat measurements.

The mean is calculated by adding each measurement and dividing by the number of measurements.

An anomalous result is a measurement that is significantly different from the others. It should be crossed out and not used in calculating the mean.

wave speed = frequency × wavelength (v = f x λ)

the speed of a wave in a particular medium (material)

the number of waves produced each second. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz)

the distance between one wave crest (or trough) and the next

(λ) the symbol used for the wavelength of a wave

wave speed = frequency × wavelength (v = f × λ)

The speed of a wave through a medium. Given by the wave equation: wave speed = frequency × wavelength (v = f × λ)

The number of waves produced each second. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz)

The distance between one wave crest (or trough) and the next is the wavelength of the wave.

A prefix is added to units to represent large or small values , for example 1 km = 1000 m and 1 mm = 0.001 m

A vibrating beam in a ripple tank creates water waves in a clear bottomed container that makes the waves easier to observe.

A film played back in slow motion shows everything happening slowly, including the speed of a timer shown in the film.

The wave equation is: wave speed = frequency × wavelength, v = f × λ.

The uncertainty in a measurement can be expressed as the range of values within which the true value must lie.

The number of significant figures of a measurement depends on how accurately the measurement is made.

A standing wave is a stable pattern of oscillation that does not appear to travel across a wave medium.

Tension is the name for the force applied to a stretched string or rope. Without any tension a string or rope would be slack.

Division is the mathematical inverse (opposite) of multiplication, so the inverse of ×2 is ÷2 (which can also be written as ×½).

A proportion is an exact mathematical comparison, such as double,  half (50%), triple, a third, quadruple, a quarter etc.

Control variables are the quantities that must be kept the same during experiments so they don’t affect results.

Synchronisation is the process of ensuring two (or more) things happen at the same time.

The period of a wave is the time taken for one oscillation.

The wavelength  of a wave is the distance a wave travels during one period.

A result is accurate if it is close to the true value.

A systematic error affects all results by the same amount.

Waves are transmitted when they pass across a boundary from one material (medium) into another.

The eardrum is a membrane within the ear that is caused to vibrate by incoming sound waves.

The cochlea is a spiral-shaped structure within the ear that creates electrical signals when set vibrating.

Sound waves of frequency below 20 Hz usually cannot be heard by humans, so are called infrasound.

Sound waves of frequency above 20 000 Hz usually cannot be heard by humans, so are called ultrasound.

An earthquake is caused by the sudden sliding movement of tectonic plates against each other.

S waves are transverse seismic waves that travel through solids but not liquids.

P waves are longitudinal seismic waves that travel at different speeds through solids and liquids.

A transverse wave is where the wave oscillates perpendicular to the direction of travel.

A longitudinal wave is where the wave oscillates along the direction of travel with areas of compression and rarefaction.

Measuring waves

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