Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Science Single Award 12: Physics: Waves

Topic 3 develops wave quantities, the electromagnetic spectrum, reflection, refraction and total internal reflection. These notes follow Pearson 4SS0 Issue 4. Transverse-longitudinal classification, diffraction, refractive-index calculations, lenses and detailed sound properties belong to broader routes and are excluded.

Wave quantities

Amplitude is the maximum displacement from equilibrium. Wavelength $\lambda$ is the distance between corresponding points on adjacent waves. Frequency $f$ is cycles passing a point per second, measured in hertz. Period $T$ is time for one cycle. A wavefront joins points at the same phase.

Wave speed is:

$$v=f\lambda$$

Waves transfer energy and information without net transfer of matter. Particles of a medium may oscillate locally, but they do not travel from source to receiver with the wave.