1
Cambridge IGCSE
Physics
Revision Guide 2024
Unit 3 Part 1
Mohammed Ali
[Physics with Mo Ali]
Cambridge IGCSE Physics Revision Guide by Mo Ali – Unit 3 – Part 1
, 2
General Properties of Waves
1 Know that waves transfer energy without transferring matter
2 Describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs and by experiments using
water waves
3 Describe the features of a wave in terms of wavefront, wavelength, frequency, crest (peak), trough, amplitude and
wave speed
4 Recall and use the equation v = f λ
5 Know that for a transverse wave, the direction of vibration is at right angles to the direction of propagation and
understand that electromagnetic radiation, water waves and seismic S-waves (secondary) can be modelled as
transverse
6 Know that for a longitudinal wave, the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of propagation and
understand that sound waves and seismic P-waves (primary) can be modelled as longitudinal
7 Describe how waves can undergo:
a. reflection at a plane surface
b. refraction due to a change of speed
c. diffraction through a narrow gap
8 Describe the use of a ripple tank to show:
a. reflection at a plane surface
b. refraction due to a change in speed caused by a change in depth
c. diffraction due to a gap
d. diffraction due to an edge
9 Describe how wavelength and gap size affects diffraction through a gap
10 Describe how wavelength affects diffraction at an edge
Defining Waves: transfer of energy without transferring matter
Mechanical Waves: need a medium to propagate (sounds, ripple)
Electromagnetic Waves: do not need a medium to propagate, can travel through a vacuum (light, infrared, etc.)
Transverse Waves: particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to wave propagation, producing crests and troughs
(electromagnetic waves, water waves, seismic S-Waves).
Longitudinal Waves: particles of the medium vibrate parallel to wave propagation, producing compressions and
rarefactions (sound waves and seismic P-Waves).
compression particle vibration
crest particle
vibration
direction
of wave direction of
trough rarefaction
motion wave motion
Cambridge IGCSE Physics Revision Guide by Mo Ali – Unit 3 – Part 1
Cambridge IGCSE
Physics
Revision Guide 2024
Unit 3 Part 1
Mohammed Ali
[Physics with Mo Ali]
Cambridge IGCSE Physics Revision Guide by Mo Ali – Unit 3 – Part 1
, 2
General Properties of Waves
1 Know that waves transfer energy without transferring matter
2 Describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs and by experiments using
water waves
3 Describe the features of a wave in terms of wavefront, wavelength, frequency, crest (peak), trough, amplitude and
wave speed
4 Recall and use the equation v = f λ
5 Know that for a transverse wave, the direction of vibration is at right angles to the direction of propagation and
understand that electromagnetic radiation, water waves and seismic S-waves (secondary) can be modelled as
transverse
6 Know that for a longitudinal wave, the direction of vibration is parallel to the direction of propagation and
understand that sound waves and seismic P-waves (primary) can be modelled as longitudinal
7 Describe how waves can undergo:
a. reflection at a plane surface
b. refraction due to a change of speed
c. diffraction through a narrow gap
8 Describe the use of a ripple tank to show:
a. reflection at a plane surface
b. refraction due to a change in speed caused by a change in depth
c. diffraction due to a gap
d. diffraction due to an edge
9 Describe how wavelength and gap size affects diffraction through a gap
10 Describe how wavelength affects diffraction at an edge
Defining Waves: transfer of energy without transferring matter
Mechanical Waves: need a medium to propagate (sounds, ripple)
Electromagnetic Waves: do not need a medium to propagate, can travel through a vacuum (light, infrared, etc.)
Transverse Waves: particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to wave propagation, producing crests and troughs
(electromagnetic waves, water waves, seismic S-Waves).
Longitudinal Waves: particles of the medium vibrate parallel to wave propagation, producing compressions and
rarefactions (sound waves and seismic P-Waves).
compression particle vibration
crest particle
vibration
direction
of wave direction of
trough rarefaction
motion wave motion
Cambridge IGCSE Physics Revision Guide by Mo Ali – Unit 3 – Part 1
