REVISION NOTES
IGCSE Edexcel Physics
3.1 Properties of Waves
3.1.1 Use the following units: degree (°), hertz (Hz), metre (m), metre/second (m/s) and second (s)
Angle – degrees (°)
Frequency – hertz (Hz)
Distance – metres (m)
Velocity – metres per second (m/s)
Time – second (s)
3.1.2 Explain the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves
3.1.3 Know the definitions of amplitude, wavefront, frequency, wavelength and period of a wave
3.1.4 Know that waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter
3.1.5 Know and use the relationship between the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave:
wave speed = frequency × wavelength
3.1.6 Use the relationship between frequency and time period:
3.1.7 Use the above relationships in different contexts, including sound waves and electromagnetic waves
3.1.8 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
3.1.9 Explain that all waves can be reflected and refracted
