the wave medium is the material that a wave can move through.

displacement at a point of a wave is the distance that the wave medium is from its rest position.

period (of a wave), T, is the time for a complete wave to pass any point, which is the same as the time to make one complete wave.

frequency is the number of waves produced each second. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).

Representing transverse waves

Combined science

In the Electromagnetic waves unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about the reflection and refraction of light, other types of electromagnetic radiation in the EM spectrum and the helpful and harmful effects of each type of radiation.

In the Waves unit, pupils learnt about the properties and propagation of transverse and longitudinal waves.

Measuring waves

What type of graph is often used to represent a wave?

the maximum displacement of the wave from equilibrium

the speed at which the wave moves forwards

the time it takes for one complete oscillation

What is the distance between two wave crests on a displacement-time graph equal to?

it shows the displacement at one point as the wave passes

Which statement is true about a displacement-time graph of a wave?

Which equation represents the relationship between frequency and period?

Put these waves in order of frequency, starting with the highest frequency.

How does the ball move as the water wave moves forwards?

A water wave is an example of a {{}} wave.

Where is the rest postion of water in this wave?

the distance between one wave crest and the next

the distance between a crest of a wave and a trough

the distance between a crest of a wave and the rest postion

Starter Quiz