Cambridge IGCSE Combined and Co-ordinated Sciences Revision checklists

Chapter P14  Properties of waves

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A wave is a regularly varying disturbance that travels
from place to place.

Waves transfer energy without transferring matter.

Ripples on water and vibrations in ropes and springs

can act as models for the way in which waves travel.

Make sure you can describe how reflection and

refraction can be demonstrated using water waves.

In transverse waves, the disturbance varies from side

to side, at right angles to the direction in which the
wave is travelling.

In longitudinal waves, the disturbance is back and

forth, along the direction of travel.

Wave speed, frequency and wavelength are related by

speed = frequency × wavelength.

Waves can be reflected, when they reach a boundary

between two different materials.

Waves can be refracted, when their speed changes.

Reflection and refraction can be explained using the

wave model.

Diffraction occurs when waves pass through a gap or

around an edge and spread into the space beyond.

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