Summary AQA GCSE Physics Combined Science - Waves Notes

WAVES
WAVES
 TYPES OF WAVES
o Transverse: oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
(electromagnetic)
o Longitudinal: oscillate parallel to the direction of energy transfer (sound)
 PART OF A WAVE
o Period: time taken for a whole wave to completely pass a single point
o Amplitude: maximum displacement from the wave’s undisturbed position
o Frequency: number of waves passing per second
o Wavelength: the distance from a point on a wave to the equivalent point on the next
wave




REFRACTION
 Refraction occurs at a boundary between two different materials
o This happens as the speed and wavelength change there
 When entering a denser material, the wave bends towards the normal
 When entering a less dense material, the wave bends away from the normal
 Substances will absorb, transmit, refract or reflect electromagnetic waves depending on the
wavelength
o Glass will:
 Transmit/refract visible light
 Absorb UV
 Reflect IR radiation
 Some effects are due to differences in velocity
o When light enters a denser medium, it slows down
o Shorter wavelengths slow down more than longer wavelengths




ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
 ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM: decreasing in wavelength and increasing in
frequency/energy
o Radio waves
o Microwaves
o Infrared radiation
o Visible light
o UV waves
o X-rays