Physics Topic: Wave Motion

  1. show an understanding that mechanical waves involve the oscillations of particles within a material medium, such as a string or a fluid, and electromagnetic waves involve the oscillations of electromagnetic fields in space and time

  2. show an understanding of and use the terms displacement, amplitude, period, frequency, phase, phase difference, wavelength and speed

  3. deduce, from the definitions of speed, frequency and wavelength, the equation v = fλ

  4. recall and use the equation v = fλ

  5. analyse and interpret graphical representations of transverse and longitudinal waves with respect to variations in time and position (space)

  6. show an understanding that energy is transferred due to a progressive wave without matter being transferred

  7. recall and use the term intensity as the power transferred (radiated) by a wave per unit area, and the relationship intensity ∝ (amplitude)2 for a progressive wave

  8. show an understanding of and apply the concept, that the intensity of a wave from a point source and travelling without loss of energy obeys an inverse square law to solve problems

  9. show an understanding that polarisation is a phenomenon associated with transverse waves

  10. recall and use Malus’ law (intensity ∝ cos2θ) to calculate the amplitude and intensity of a plane-polarised electromagnetic wave after transmission through a polarising filter.