Edexcel International GCSE Physics3b Properties of waves Checklist

Papers 1 and 2

• I can explain the difference between longitudinal waves and transverse waves.
• I know the definitions of the amplitude, wavefront, frequency, wavelength and period of a wave.
• I know that waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter.
• I know and can use the relationship between the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave: wave speed = frequency × wavelength, v = f × λ
• I can use the relationship between frequency and time period: frequency = 1 / time period, f = 1 / T
• I can use these relationships in different contexts, including sound waves and electromagnetic waves.
• I can explain why the observed frequency and wavelength of a wave change when its source moves relative to an observer, and I know that this is called the Doppler effect.
• I can explain that all waves can be reflected and refracted.