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Waves

Wave properties, and refraction at a boundary

  • 3 things to know
  • Physics Paper 2

Overview

Amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period, the equation linking period and frequency, the hertz, wave speed and the wave equation with calculations, measuring the angles of incidence and refraction from the normal, which way a ray bends entering a glass block, and comparing the infrared emitted by different surfaces using a cube of hot water.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Define the amplitude, wavelength and frequency of a wave, and say how its period is related to its frequency.

Key term

Name the four quantities used to describe the motion of a wave.

Key term

What is the amplitude of a wave?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Name the four quantities used to describe the motion of a wave.

    Model answer

    Amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period.

  2. 2

    What is the amplitude of a wave?

    Model answer

    The maximum displacement of a point on the wave away from its undisturbed position.

  3. 3

    What is the wavelength of a wave?

    Model answer

    The distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on the next wave.

  4. 4

    What is the frequency of a wave?

    Model answer

    The number of waves passing a point each second.

  5. 5

    State in words how the period of a wave is related to its frequency.

    Model answer

    The period is equal to one divided by the frequency.

  6. 6

    Write the equation linking period and frequency in symbols and give the unit of period.

    Model answer

    T = 1 / f, with the period T measured in seconds, s.

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