IGCSE Physics Specification

Edexcel 4PH1

Section 3: (d) Light and sound

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#3.14

know that light waves are transverse waves and that they can be reflected and refracted

#3.15

use the law of reflection (the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection)

#3.16

draw ray diagrams to illustrate reflection and refraction

#3.17

practical: investigate the refraction of light, using rectangular blocks, semi-circular blocks and triangular prisms

#3.18

know and use the relationship between refractive index, angle of incidence and angle of refraction:

\(n = \dfrac{\sin{i}}{\sin{r}}\)

#3.19

practical: investigate the refractive index of glass, using a glass block

#3.20

describe the role of total internal reflection in transmitting information along optical fibres and in prisms

#3.21

explain the meaning of critical angle c

#3.22

know and use the relationship between critical angle and refractive index:

\(\sin{c} = \dfrac{1}{n}\)

#3.23

know that sound waves are longitudinal waves which can be reflected and refracted

#3.24P

know that the frequency range for human hearing is 20–20000Hz

#3.25P

practical: investigate the speed of sound in air

#3.26P

understand how an oscilloscope and microphone can be used to display a sound wave

#3.27P

practical: investigate the frequency of a sound wave using an oscilloscope

#3.28P

understand how the pitch of a sound relates to the frequency of vibration of the source

#3.29P

understand how the loudness of a sound relates to the amplitude of vibration of the source