P4 Properties of waves, including light and sound

1 Demonstrate understanding that waves transfer energy without transferring matter

2 Describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibration in ropes and springs and by
experiments using water waves
3 State the meaning of speed, frequency, wavelength and amplitude
4 Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves and give suitable examples
5 Describe how waves can undergo: – reflection at a plane surface – refraction due to a change of speed
6 Recall and use the equation v = f λ
7 Understand that refraction is caused by a change in speed as a wave moves from one medium to another
 General waves property
•Waves transfer energy between points, without transferring matter:
• When a wave travels between two points, no matter actually travels with it: The points on the
wave simply vibrate back and forth about fixed positions
• The wavelength of a wave is the distance from a point on one wave to the same point on the next
wave. Usually this is measured from the top of one wave to the top of the next wave
• Wavelength is usually measured in metres (a distance)
• The amplitude of a wave is its height, measured from the middle of the wave to its top (or from the
middle to its bottom)
• Frequency is number of waves passing through a single point
The speed of a wave (v) is related to the frequency
(f) and wavelength (λ) by the equation:
Types of waves