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Edexcel International AS Physics

Revision Notes

Home / International AS / Physics / Edexcel / Revision Notes / 2. Waves & Electricity / Transverse & Longitudinal Waves / 2.1 Properties of Waves


2.1 Properties of Waves


Properties of Waves

  • Waves are generated by oscillating sources 
    • These oscillations travel away from the source

  • Oscillations can propagate through a medium (e.g. air, water) or in a vacuum (i.e. no particles), depending on the wave type

Wave Features

  • In order to describe the properties of travelling waves, the following keywords need to be defined:
    • Wavelength λ (m) is the distance between a point on a wave and the same point on the next cycle of the wave, e.g. two crests, or two troughs
    • Amplitude A (m) is the magnitude of the maximum displacement reached by an oscillation in the wave 
    • Period T (s) is the time taken for one complete oscillation at one point on the wave
    • Frequency f (Hz) is the number of complete wave cycles per second 
    • Wave speed c (m s-1) is the rate of movement of the wave

amplitude-&-wavelength, IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

Diagram showing the amplitude and wavelength of a transverse wave

  • The frequency f and the period T of a travelling wave are related to each other by the equation

Frequency-period equation, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Worked Example

The graph below shows a travelling wave.

4-2-1-we-properties-of-wave-question-graphDetermine:

(i) The amplitude A of the wave in metres (m)

(ii) The frequency f of the wave in hertz (Hz)

(i) Identify the amplitude A of the wave on the graph 

    • The amplitude is defined as the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position (x = 0)
4-2-1-we-properties-of-wave-step-1
    • The amplitude must be converted from centimetres (cm) into metres (m)

A = 0.1 m

(ii) Calculate the frequency of the wave

Step 1: Identify the period T of the wave on the graph 

    • The period is defined as the time taken for one complete oscillation to occur


4-2-1-we-properties-of-wave-step-2

    • The period must be converted from milliseconds (ms) into seconds (s)

T = 1 × 10–3 s

Step 2: Write down the relationship between the frequency f and the period T 

f = 1 over T

Step 3: Substitute the value of the period determined in Step 1

f = fraction numerator 1 over denominator 1 cross times 10 to the power of negative 3 end exponent end fraction

f = 1000 Hz

Exam Tip

Every question about waves uses the vocabulary on this page. Many questions start by asking you to define one of them.

So your job is to learn the definitions to the point where you have them memorised.



  • 1. Mechanics & Materials
    • Motion
      • 1.1 Equations of Motion
        • 1.2 Motion Graphs
          • 1.3 Slope & Area of Motion Graphs
            • 1.4 Scalars & Vectors
              • 1.5 Resolving Vectors
                • 1.6 Adding Vectors
                  • 1.7 Components of Velocity
                    • 1.8 Free-body Force Diagrams
                    • Forces & Momentum
                      • 1.9 Force & Acceleration
                        • 1.10 Mass, Weight & Gravitational Field Strength
                          • 1.11 Core Practical 1: Investigating the Acceleration of Freefall
                            • 1.12 Newton's Third Law of Motion
                              • 1.13 Momentum
                                • 1.14 Conservation of Linear Momentum
                                • Moments
                                  • 1.15 Moments
                                    • 1.16 Centre of Gravity & The Principle of Moments
                                    • Work, Energy & Power
                                      • 1.17 Work
                                        • 1.18 Kinetic Energy
                                          • 1.19 Gravitational Potential Energy
                                            • 1.20 The Principle of Conservation of Energy
                                              • 1.21 Power
                                                • 1.22 Efficiency
                                                • Density, Upthrust & Viscous Drag
                                                  • 1.23 Density
                                                    • 1.24 Upthrust
                                                      • 1.25 Viscous Drag
                                                      • Stretching Materials
                                                        • 1.27 Hooke's Law
                                                          • 1.28 Stress, Strain & The Young Modulus
                                                            • 1.29 Force-Extension Graphs
                                                              • 1.30 Stress-Strain Graphs
                                                                • 1.31 Core Practical 3: Investigating Young Modulus
                                                                  • 1.32 Elastic Strain Energy
                                                                • 2. Waves & Electricity
                                                                  • Transverse & Longitudinal Waves
                                                                    • 2.1 Properties of Waves
                                                                      • 2.2 The Wave Equation
                                                                        • 2.3 Longitudinal Waves
                                                                          • 2.4 Transverse Waves
                                                                            • 2.5 Representing Waves on Graphs
                                                                            • Interference & Stationary Waves
                                                                              • 2.7 Interference & Superposition of Waves
                                                                                • 2.8 Phase & Path Difference
                                                                                  • 2.9 Stationary Waves
                                                                                    • 2.10 Wave Speed on a Stretched Spring
                                                                                      • 2.11 Core Practical 5: Investigating Stationary Waves
                                                                                      • Refraction, Reflection & Polarisation
                                                                                        • 2.12 Equation for the Intensity of Radiation
                                                                                          • 2.13 Refraction & Refractive Index
                                                                                            • 2.14 Critical Angle
                                                                                              • 2.15 Total Internal Reflection
                                                                                                • 2.16 Measuring Refractive Index
                                                                                                  • 2.17 Plane Polarisation
                                                                                                  • Waves, Electrons & Photons
                                                                                                    • 2.19 The Diffraction Grating Equation
                                                                                                      • 2.20 Core Practical 6: Investigating Diffraction Gratings
                                                                                                        • 2.21 The Wave Nature of Electrons
                                                                                                          • 2.22 The de Broglie Equation
                                                                                                            • 2.23 Transmission & Reflection of Waves
                                                                                                              • 2.24 Pulse-Echo Technique
                                                                                                                • 2.25 Wave-Particle Duality
                                                                                                                  • 2.26 Energy of a Photon
                                                                                                                  • The Photoelectric Effect & Atomic Spectra
                                                                                                                    • 2.27 The Photoelectric Effect
                                                                                                                      • 2.28 The Photoelectric Equation
                                                                                                                        • 2.29 The Electronvolt
                                                                                                                          • 2.30 The Particle Nature of EM Radiation
                                                                                                                            • 2.31 Atomic Line Spectra
                                                                                                                            • Current, Potential Difference, Resistance & Power
                                                                                                                              • 2.32 Electric Current
                                                                                                                                • 2.33 Potential Difference
                                                                                                                                  • 2.34 Ohm's Law
                                                                                                                                    • 2.35 Charge Conservation in Circuits
                                                                                                                                      • 2.36 Energy Conservation in Circuits
                                                                                                                                        • 2.37 Resistance in Series & Parallel
                                                                                                                                          • 2.38 Electrical Power
                                                                                                                                            • 2.39 Current-Potential Difference Graphs
                                                                                                                                            • Resistance, Resistivity & Potential Dividers
                                                                                                                                              • 2.40 Electrical Resistivity
                                                                                                                                                • 2.41 Core Practical 7: Investigating Resistivity
                                                                                                                                                  • 2.42 Calculating Current & Drift Velocity
                                                                                                                                                    • 2.43 Potential Difference & Conductor Length
                                                                                                                                                      • 2.44 Potential Dividers
                                                                                                                                                        • 2.45 Potential Dividers & Variable Resistance
                                                                                                                                                        • E.M.F & Modelling Resistance
                                                                                                                                                          • 2.46 Electromotive Force
                                                                                                                                                            • 2.47 Internal Resistance
                                                                                                                                                              • 2.48 E.M.F. vs. Terminal Potential Difference
                                                                                                                                                                • 2.49 Core Practical 8: Investigating E.M.F. & Internal Resistance
                                                                                                                                                                  • 2.50 Resistance & Temperature
                                                                                                                                                                    • 2.51 Resistance & Illumination
                                                                                                                                                                  • 3. Practical Skills in Physics I
                                                                                                                                                                    • Practical Skills I: Planning
                                                                                                                                                                      • 3.1 Identifying Apparatus
                                                                                                                                                                        • 3.2 Range & Resolution of Instruments
                                                                                                                                                                          • 3.3 Calibrating Instruments
                                                                                                                                                                            • 3.4 Measuring Variables
                                                                                                                                                                              • 3.5 Control Variables & Fair Tests
                                                                                                                                                                                • 3.6 Repeat Readings
                                                                                                                                                                                  • 3.7 Health & Safety
                                                                                                                                                                                    • 3.8 Data Collection
                                                                                                                                                                                      • 3.9 Uncertainty & Systematic Errors
                                                                                                                                                                                        • 3.10 Wider Implications
                                                                                                                                                                                        • Practical Skills I: Implementation & Measurements
                                                                                                                                                                                          • 3.11 Number of Readings
                                                                                                                                                                                            • 3.12 Range of Measurements
                                                                                                                                                                                              • 3.13 Significant Figures
                                                                                                                                                                                                • 3.14 Anomalous Readings
                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 3.15 Using a Micrometer
                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 3.16 Evaluating Experiments
                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Practical Skills I: Processing Results
                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 3.17 Calculations using Experimental Data
                                                                                                                                                                                                        • 3.18 Plotting Graphs
                                                                                                                                                                                                          • 3.19 Using Units Correctly
                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 3.20 Identifying Graphical Relationships
                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 3.21 Interpreting Graphs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                • 3.22 Reducing Errors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 3.23 Suggesting Improvements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • 3.24 Uncertainties
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • 3.25 Determining Uncertainty


                                                                                                                                                                                                                      DOWNLOAD PDF

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Author: lindsay@savemyexams.co.uk



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