Waves — IGCSE Physics (Edexcel)
About Course
Units
3.1 use the following units: degree (°), hertz (Hz), metre (m), metre/second (m/s) and second (s)
Properties of Waves
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 (f) and time period (T):
T = 1 / f
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
(c) The electromagnetic spectrum
3.10 know that light is part of a continuous electromagnetic spectrum that includes radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma ray radiations and that all these waves travel at the same speed in free space
3.11 know the order of the electromagnetic spectrum in terms of decreasing wavelength and increasing frequency, including the colours of the visible spectrum
3.12 explain some of the uses of electromagnetic radiations, including:
• radio waves: broadcasting and communications
• microwaves: cooking and satellite transmissions
• infrared: heaters and night vision equipment
• visible light: optical fibres and photography
• ultraviolet: fluorescent lamps
• x-rays: observing the internal structure of objects and materials, including for
medical applications
• gamma rays: sterilising food and medical equipment.
3.13 explain the detrimental effects of excessive exposure of the human body to
electromagnetic waves, including:
• microwaves: internal heating of body tissue
• infrared: skin burns
• ultraviolet: damage to surface cells and blindness
• gamma rays: cancer, mutation
and describe simple protective measures against the risks
(d) Light and sound
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:
refractive index (n) = sini / sinr
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:
n = 1 /sinC
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 20–20 000 Hz
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
Course Content
3.1—units
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3.1: Units
00:00 -
Quiz 3.1
Properties of waves–3.2 explain the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves
Properties of waves–3.3 know the definitions of amplitude, wavefront, frequency, wavelength and period of a wave
Properties of waves–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
3.6 & 3.7 use the relationship between frequency (f) and time period (T) in different context
3.8 Explain Doppler effect
3.9 explain that all waves can be reflected and refracted
Electromagnetic Spectrum–3.10 & 3.11
3.12 & 3.13: uses of electromagnetic spectrum
Light and Sound–3.14: know that light waves are transverse waves and that they can be reflected and refracted
Light and sound–3.15: Law of reflection
Light and Sound–3.16: draw ray diagrams to illustrate reflection and refraction
Light & Sound–3.17: Investigate refraction of light
Light and Sound–3.18: refractive index = sin<i / sin<r
Light and Sound–3.19: Practical: investigate the refractive index of glass, using a glass block
Light and Sound–3.20 & 3.21: describe the role of total internal reflection in transmitting information along optical fibres and in prisms
Light & Sound–3.21: use critical angle relationship
Light & Sound–3.23 know that sound waves are longitudinal waves which can be reflected and refracted
Light & Sound–3.24P and 3.28P: Human audible frequency range and relationship between pitch and frequency
3.25P practical: investigate the speed of sound in air
Light & Sound–3.26P, 3.28P & 3.29: How microphone and oscilloscope can be used to display sound waves
Light & Sound–3.27P: practical: investigate the frequency of a sound wave using an oscilloscope
Topic Related Past Papers Questions and Marking Scheme
Consolidated Quiz
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