PEARSON EDEXCEL IGCSE 9-1 PHYSICS

UNIT 3 – WAVES

Specification Point 3.1: Use the following units: degree (°), hertz
(Hz), metre (m), metre/second (m/s) and second (s)

The units for: angle = degree (°); frequency = hertz (Hz); wavelength = metre (m); velocity
= metre/second (m/s); time = second (s)

Specification Point 3.2: Explain the difference between

longitudinal and transverse waves
Waves can exist as one of two main types:

• Transverse
• Longitudinal

Transverse Waves:

For a transverse wave, the points along the wave vibrate at 90 degrees to the direction in which
the wave is moving (the direction of energy transfer).

With a transverse wave, the vibrations are at

90 degrees to the direction of energy transfer

Longitudinal Waves:
For a longitudinal wave, the points along the wave vibrate in the same direction that the wave is
moving in.

With a longitudinal wave, the vibrations are parallel

to the direction of energy transfer

EXAM TIP: If asked to describe the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves,
sketch the above diagrams. A good clear labelled diagram can earn you full marks.
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UNIT 3 – WAVES

Wavelength, Frequency & Amplitude

Specification Point 3.3: Know the definitions of amplitude,
wavefront, frequency, wavelength and period of a wave
• The wavelength of a wave is the distance from a point on one wave to the same point
on the next wave. Usually this is measured from the top of one wave to the top of the
next wave.
Wavelength is usually measured in metres (a distance).
• The amplitude of a wave is its height, measured from the middle of the wave to its
top (or from the middle to its bottom).
• The frequency of a wave is the number of waves passing a point (or being created or
received) every second – it is helpful to think of it as being the waves per second.
• The units of frequency are hertz (Hz).
• The time period of a wave is the time taken for a single wave to pass a point (or for a
single wave to be created).
• Time period is usually measured in seconds.

Diagram showing the amplitude and wavelength of a

transverse wave

EXAM TIP: When labelling wavelength on a diagram, make sure that your arrows go from the very
top of a wave to the very top of the next one: If your arrow is too short you will lose marks.

Waves & Energy

Specification Point 3.4: Know that waves transfer energy and
information without transferring matter
• When a wave travels between two points, no matter actually travels with it: The

points on the wave simply vibrate back and forth about fixed positions.

• The wave does, however, transfer energy.

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UNIT 3 – WAVES

Wave Speed
Specification Point 3.5: Know and use the relationship between
the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave
wave speed = frequency x wavelength
v=fxλ

• The speed of a wave (v) is related to the frequency (f) and wavelength (λ) by the
equation:

wave speed = frequency x wavelength

v=fxλ

• You can rearrange this equation with the help of the formula triangle:

Frequency & Time Period

Specification Point 3.6: Use the relationship between frequency

and time period:
frequency = 1 / time period
f=1/T

Specification Point 3.7: Use the above relationships in different

contexts including sound waves and electromagnetic waves
• The frequency of a wave is the number of waves per second, whilst the time period is
the time taken for one wave to pass a fixed point.
• The two quantities are related by the equation:

frequency = 1 / time period

f=1/T
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UNIT 3 – WAVES

The Doppler effect

Specification Point 3.8: Explain why there is a change in the
observed frequency and wavelength of a wave when its source is
moving relative to an observer, and that this is known as the
Doppler effect
• Usually, when an object emits waves, the wavefronts spread out symmetrically.
• If the wave source moves, though, the waves can get squashed together or stretched out

When a wave source moves: The waves in front of it get squashed together; the waves
behind get stretched out

• This causes the wavelength (and frequency) of the waves to change:

o The wavelength of the waves in front of the source decreases and the frequency
increases.
o The wavelength behind the source increases and the frequency decreases.
(Think about the sound made by a racing car as it first moves towards you and
then moves away from you.)
• This effect is known as the doppler effect.

Reflection & Refraction

Specification Point 3.9: Explain that all waves can be reflected and
refracted
• All waves share certain effects, which include reflection and refraction

Reflection

• When waves hit an object, such as a barrier, they can be reflected:

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UNIT 3 – WAVES

When waves reflect from a barrier, the

angle of incidence (i) is equal to the angle
of reflection (r)

• When waves are reflection:

angle of incidence = angle of reflection

i=r
Refraction

• When waves enter a different medium, their speed can change.

• This effect is called refraction, and it can have two other effects:
o The wavelength of the waves can increase or decrease.
o The waves can change direction.

When water waves travel from deep

areas to shallow areas they slow down

• If the waves slow down the waves will bunch together, causing the wavelength to
decrease. The waves will also start to travel closer to the normal.
• If the waves speed up then they will spread out, causing the wavelength to increase.
The waves will also turn slightly away from the normal.

EXAM TIPS:

• When drawing waves being reflected take care to:

➢ Make sure that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of
reflection..
➢ Keep the wavelength of the waves the same.
• Remember:
Refraction is the name given to the change in the speed of a wave when it
passes from one medium to another. The change in direction is a
consequence of this.
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UNIT 3 – WAVES

3 (c) EM Waves : Basics

Properties of Electromagnetic Waves

Specification Point 3.10: Know that light is part of a continuous

electromagnetic spectrum that includes radio, microwave, infrared,
visible, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma ray radiations and that all these
waves travel at the same speed in free space.
Specification Point 3.11: Know the order of the electromagnetic
spectrum in terms of decreasing wavelength and increasing frequency,
including the colours of the visible spectrum.
• Light is a transverse wave.
• The different colours of waves correspond to different wavelengths:
o Red has the longest wavelength (and the lowest frequency)
o Violet has the shortest (and the highest frequency).

• Visible light, however, is just one small part of a much bigger spectrum: The
electromagnetic spectrum.
• The different parts of the spectrum have different names (and some different
properties).
• These parts are shown in order below, going from the longest wavelength (and
lowest frequency) to the shortest wavelength (and highest frequency).
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UNIT 3 – WAVES

All electromagnetic waves share several properties:

• They are all transverse.

• They can all travel through a vacuum
• They all travel at the same speed in a vacuum.

EXAM TIPS:
• To remember the colours of the visible spectrum either
remember:
o The name “Roy G. Biv”
o Or the saying “Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain”.
• The electromagnetic spectrum is usually given in order to
decreasing wavelength.
Remember:
o Radios are big (big wavelength).
o Gamma rays are emitted from atoms which are very small
(small wavelength).

EM Waves: Uses & Dangers

Uses of Electromagnetic Waves

Specification Point 3.12: Explain some of the uses of electromagnetic
radiations, including:
➢ radio waves: broadcasting and communications
➢ microwaves: cooking and satellite transmissions
➢ infrared: heaters and night vision equipment
➢ visible light: optical fibres and photography
➢ ultraviolet: fluorescent lamps
➢ x-rays: observing the internal structure of objects and materials,
including for medical applications
➢ gamma rays: sterilising food and medical equipment.
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UNIT 3 – WAVES

Electromagnetic waves have a large number of uses. The main ones are summarised in the
table below.

Further notes:

• Radio waves and microwaves

o These two parts of the spectrum share a lot of similarities and uses. Their main

uses concern wireless communication – in fact many things that people often

assume use radio waves actually use microwaves (e.g. WiFi, radar, mobile

phones, satellite communications…)

o At very high intensities microwaves can also be used to heat things: This is

what happens in a microwave oven.

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UNIT 3 – WAVES

• Infra-red

o Infrared is emitted by warm objects and can be detected using special cameras

(thermal imaging cameras). These can be used in industry, in research and also

in medicine.

o Many security cameras are capable of seeing slightly into the infrared part of

the spectrum and this can be used to allow them to see in the dark: Infrared

lights are used to illuminate an area without being seen, which is then detected

using the camera.

o Remote controls also have small infrared LEDs that can send invisible signals

to an infrared receiver on a device such as a TV.

o Infrared travels down fibre optic cables more efficiently than visible light,

and so most fibre optic communication systems use infrared.

• Ultraviolet

o Ultraviolet is responsible for giving you a sun tan, which is your body’s way

of protecting itself against the ultraviolet.

o When certain substances are exposed to ultraviolet, they absorb it and re-emit

it as visible light (making them glow). This process is known as fluorescence.

Fluorescence can be used to secretly mark things using special ink – in fact

most bank notes have invisible fluorescent markings on them.

o Fluorescent light bulbs also use this principle to emit visible light.

• X-rays

o The most obvious use of x-rays is in medicine. X-rays are able to pass through

most body tissues, but are absorbed by the denser parts of the body, such as
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UNIT 3 – WAVES

bones. When exposed to x-rays the bones can a shadow which can be seen

using a special x-ray detector or using photographic film.

• Gamma rays

o Gamma rays are very dangerous and can be used to kill cells and living tissue.

If the gamma rays are carefully aimed at cancerous tissue, they can be very

effective at killing it.

Gamma rays can also be used to sterilise things by killing off the bacteria.

Dangers of Electromagnetic Waves

Specification Point 3.13: Explain the detrimental effects of excessive
exposure of the human body to electromagnetic waves, including:
o microwaves: internal heating of body tissue
o infrared: skin burns
o ultraviolet: damage to surface cells and blindness
o gamma rays: cancer, mutation
and describe simple protective measures against the risks

• In general, electromagnetic waves get more and more dangerous the shorter

their wavelength: Radio waves have no known harmful effects whilst gamma

rays can cause cancer and are regarded as extremely dangerous.

• The main risks associated with electromagnetic waves are summarised below:
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UNIT 3 – WAVES

Further notes:

• Microwaves:

o Although there is a risk of internal heating from microwaves, most sources of

microwaves (which includes mobile phones) emit small amounts of energy

which are not known to cause any harm.

o Although microwave ovens emit very large amounts of energy, that energy is

prevented from getting out of the oven by the metal walls and metal grid in the

glass door.
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UNIT 3 – WAVES

• Infrared

o Infrared is usually associated with heat (thermal radiation). It is this heat that

poses its biggest danger – a danger of burns.

• Ultraviolet

o Ultraviolet is similar to light but invisible and has a much higher energy. If

eyes are exposed to high levels it can cause serious eye damage.

Good quality sunglasses will absorb ultraviolet, preventing it from entering the

eyes.

o Ultraviolet is also ionising (it can strip the outer electrons from atoms). This

can cause chemical changes to cells that can kill them or cause them to

malfunction, resulting in diseases such as cancer.

Sunscreen absorbs ultraviolet, preventing it from damaging the skin.

• X-rays and Gamma rays

o Short wavelength electromagnetic waves have enough energy to strip the outer

electrons from atoms (ionisation). The shorter the wavelength, the more

ionising the radiation.

X-rays and Gamma rays are able to penetrate the body and cause internal

damage.

Fortunately, the level of x-rays used in medicine is kept to minimum levels at

which the risk is negligible. Doctors, however, will leave the room when

taking x-rays in order to avoid unnecessary exposure to them. People working

with Gamma rays have to take steps to minimise their exposure and are

routinely tested to check their exposure.