IGCSE Physics Specification

Edexcel 4PH1

Section 3: (b) Properties of waves

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#3.2

explain the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves

#3.3

know the definitions of amplitude, wavefront, frequency, wavelength and period of a wave

#3.4

know that waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter

#3.5

know and use the relationship between the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave:

wave speed = frequency × wavelength

\(v = f × λ\)

#3.6

use the relationship between frequency and time period:

\(\text{frequency} = \dfrac{1}{\text{time period}}\)

\(f = \dfrac{1}{T}\)

#3.7

use the above relationships in different contexts including sound waves and electromagnetic waves

#3.8

explain why there is a change in the observed frequency and wavelength of a wave when its source is moving relative to an observer, and that this is known as the Doppler effect

#3.9

explain that all waves can be reflected and refracted