Students should be able to:
- describe what is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibrations in ropes and springs and by waves in a ripple tank (including use of the term wavefront)
- show an understanding that waves transfer energy without transferring matter
- define and use the terms speed, frequency, wavelength, period and amplitude, including graphical representation
- recall and apply the relationship speed of wave = frequency × wavelength to new situations or to solve related problems
- compare transverse and longitudinal waves and give suitable examples of each
- show an understanding that sound can be produced by vibrating sources and a medium is required for the transmission of sound.
- describe the longitudinal nature of sound waves in terms of the processes of compression and rarefaction
- relate loudness of a sound wave to its amplitude and pitch to its frequency
- describe how the reflection of sound may produce an echo, and how this may be used for measuring distances
- describe and explain how ultrasound is used, e.g. including sonar and medical scanning of soft tissue.