Waves

Question 1

Describe waves as either transverse or longitudinal, defining these waves in terms of
the direction of their oscillation and energy transfer and giving examples of each

Question 2

Define waves as transfers of energy from one place to another, carrying information

Question 3

Define amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period and wave speed and Identify them
where appropriate on diagrams

Question 4

State examples of methods of measuring wave speeds in different media and Identify
the suitability of apparatus of measuring frequency and wavelength

Question 5

Calculate wave speed, frequency or wavelength by applying, but not recalling, the
equation: [ v = f λ] and calculate wave period by recalling and applying the equation: [
T = 1/f ]

Question 6

Identify amplitude and wavelength from given diagrams

Question 7

Describe a method to measure the speed of sound waves in air

Question 8

Describe a method to measure the speed of ripples on a water surface

Question 9

Required practical 20: make observations to identify the suitability of apparatus to
measure the frequency, wavelength and speed of waves in a ripple tank and waves in a
solid

Question 10

Describe what electromagnetic waves are and explain how they are grouped

Question 11

List the groups of electromagnetic waves in order of wavelength

Question 12

Explain that because our eyes only detect a limited range of electromagnetic waves,
they can only detect visible light

Question 13

HT ONLY: Explain how different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation are
reflected, refracted, absorbed or transmitted differently by different substances and
types of surface

Question 14

Illustrate the refraction of a wave at the boundary between two different media by
constructing ray diagrams

Question 15

HT ONLY: Describe what refraction is due to and illustrate this using wave front
diagrams

Question 16

Required practical activity 10: investigate how the amount of infrared radiation
absorbed or radiated by a surface depends on the nature of that surface.

Question 17

HT ONLY: Explain how radio waves can be produced by oscillations in electrical
circuits, or absorbed by electrical circuits

Question 18

Explain that changes in atoms and the nuclei of atoms can result in electromagnetic
waves being generated or absorbed over a wide frequency range

Question 19

State examples of the dangers of each group of electromagnetic radiation and discuss
the effects of radiation as depending on the type of radiation and the size of the dose