Study guide

IP Physics Notes (Upper Secondary, Year 3-4): 8) Waves

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Review EM spectrum properties, mechanical wave terms, sound/ultrasound, and CRO measurements for IP Year 3-4.

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Last updated 30 Nov 2025

Chee Wei Jie
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Chee Wei Jie·Academic Advisor (Physics)
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Read in layers

1 second

Read the summary above.

10 seconds

Scan the first few sections below.

100 seconds

Jump into the section that matches your decision.

  1. Start Here
  2. Electromagnetic Spectrum
  3. Wave Terminology & Equation
  4. Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves
Q: What does IP Physics Notes (Upper Secondary, Year 3-4): 8) Waves cover?
A: Review EM spectrum properties, mechanical wave terms, sound/ultrasound, and CRO measurements for IP Year 3-4.
Quick recap -- Waves transport energy without carrying matter. Understand the language (wavelength, frequency, period), track phase with wavefronts, and apply the same maths from microwaves to ultrasound echoes.

Start Here

Read timeWhat to take away
1 secondWaves transfer energy without transferring matter overall.
10 secondsKnow wavelength, frequency, period, amplitude, and speed. Frequency stays fixed when waves cross a boundary, while speed and wavelength can change.
100 secondsUse the EM spectrum, sound, ultrasound, and CRO sections to practise matching a wave type to its equation, graph reading, use, and hazard.

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These notes align with SEAB GCE O-Level Physics (6091) content used in IP programmes (exams from 2026).

Status: SEAB O-Level Physics 6091 syllabus (exams from 2026) checked 2025-11-30 - scope unchanged; remains the reference for these notes.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

  • EM waves are transverse oscillations of electric and magnetic fields and travel at c=3.00×108 m ⋅ s−1 c = \pu{3.00 \times 10^8 m.s-1}