GCSE Physics Edexcel 1PH0

4: Waves

#4.1

Recall that waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter

#4.10

Explain how waves will be refracted at a boundary in terms of the change of direction and speed

#4.11

Recall that different substances may absorb, transmit, refract or reflect waves in ways that vary with wavelength

#4.12P

**Describe the processes which convert wave disturbances between sound waves and vibrations in solids, and

a) explain why such processes only work over a limited frequency range b) use this to explain the way the human ear works**

#4.13P

Recall that sound with frequencies greater than 20,000 hertz, Hz, is known as ultrasound

#4.14P

Recall that sound with frequencies less than 20 hertz, Hz, is known as infrasound

#4.15P

**Explain uses of ultrasound and infrasound, including

a) sonar b) foetal scanning c) exploration of the Earth’s core**

#4.16P

Describe how changes, if any, in velocity, frequency and wavelength, in the transmission of sound waves from one medium to another are inter-related

#4.17

Core Practical: Investigate the suitability of equipment to measure the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave in a solid and a fluid

#4.2

Describe evidence that with water and sound waves it is the wave and not the water or air itself that travels

#4.3

Define and use the terms frequency and wavelength as applied to waves

#4.4

Use the terms amplitude, period, wave velocity and wavefront as applied to waves

#4.5

Describe the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves by referring to sound, electromagnetic, seismic and water waves

#4.6

Recall and use both the equations below for all waves:

wave speed (metre/second, m/s) = frequency (hertz, Hz) × wavelength (metre, m)

v=f×λv = f × \lambda

wave speed (metre/second, m/s) = distance (metre, m) ÷ time (second, s)

v=xtv = \dfrac{x}{t}

#4.7

Describe how to measure the velocity of sound in air and ripples on water surfaces

#4.8P

Calculate depth or distance from time and wave velocity

#4.9P

Describe the effects of:

a) reflection b) refraction c) transmission d) absorption

of waves at material interfaces

3
Conservation of energy
5
Light and the electromagnetic spectrum