Learning objectives
Describe a travelling wave as the transfer of energy through a medium without any net transfer of matter, and relate the motion of each particle of the medium to simple harmonic motion
Distinguish transverse from longitudinal waves with examples, and describe the compressions and rarefactions that make up a sound wave
Define wavelength, frequency, period, amplitude and wave speed, and apply the wave equation v = fλ
Interpret displacement–distance and displacement–time graphs of a wave, reading wavelength and amplitude from one and period and amplitude from the other
Represent waves using wavefronts and rays, and use them to show plane and circular wavefronts and the direction in which energy is transferred
Describe an electromagnetic wave as a transverse oscillation of electric and magnetic fields that travels at c = 3.00 × 10⁸ m s⁻¹ in a vacuum, and place radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma radiation in order of wavelength and frequency
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