Waves

Learning objectives

Describe wave motion using examples on ropes, slinky springs and ripple tanks, and define amplitude, wavelength, period, frequency, phase difference and wave speed.

Derive and use v = fλ, and read frequency and amplitude from an oscilloscope trace using its time-base and y-gain settings.

Explain that a progressive wave carries energy without carrying matter, define intensity as power per unit area, and use intensity ∝ amplitude².

Contrast transverse and longitudinal waves by their direction of oscillation, and interpret displacement–distance and displacement–time graphs of each, locating compressions and rarefactions.

Calculate the Doppler-shifted frequency heard by a stationary observer from a moving sound source using fo = fs v/(v ± vs).

Recall the regions and approximate wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, including 400–700 nm for visible light, and use Malus's law I = I₀cos²θ for plane-polarised light passing through polarising filters.