Starter

Waves
 Aims

 Demonstrate understanding that wave motion

transfers energy without transferring matter in the
direction of wave travel.
 State the meaning of and use the terms speed,
frequency, wavelength and amplitude.
 Recall and use the equation v = f λ
 Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal
waves and give suitable examples.
Waves
A disturbance causing energy transfer
from one location to another location is
called a Wave
Hand motion

Wave
direction

Transverse Waves

Wave direction

Compression Rarefraction

Hand motion
Longitudinal Waves
 Wavelength λ
Waves is the shortest distance between two points that

 Describing waves are in phase on a wave, i.e. two consecutive

crests or two consecutive troughs.

crest
λ Amplitude
Amplitude A
Wavelength
is the maximum displacement of a wave from its
rest position.

A Period T
Rest is the time that it takes for one complete
position wavelength to pass a fixed point or for a particle
to undergo one complete oscillation.

Frequency f
is the number of vibrations per second
One cicle performed by the source of the waves and so is
trougth One wave equivalent to the number of crests passing a
One oscillation
fixed point per second.

𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 1
𝑓= 𝐻𝑧 𝑓=
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑇
Starter
Starter
 Aims

 Identify how a wave can be reflected off a plane

barrier and can change direction as its speed
changes.
 Recall and use the equation v = f λ
 Interpret reflection and refraction using wave
theory..
Wave’s velocity
 Wave’s velocity = frequency x wavelength

𝑣 = 𝑓. 𝜆
Suppose waves travel on a long rope and three crests pass a certain point every second. determine
the wavelength, period, frequency and speed of the wave.

λ
Wave’s velocity
 Wave’s velocity = frequency x wavelength

𝑣 = 𝑓. 𝜆
Suppose the waves of wavelength λ = 20 cm travel on a long rope. Determine the period,
frequency and speed of the wave.
Reflection and Refraction