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What waves transfer

What waves transfer

Labelled comparison of a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave showing amplitude, wavelength, crest, trough, compression, rarefaction, and the directions of wave travel and particle vibration

A wave is a travelling disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another. In most mechanical waves, the particles of the medium only vibrate about their rest positions, so the material is not carried along with the wave.

5.1 Wave behaviour Lesson

  1. GCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /5.1 Wave behaviour

Step-by-step lessons on OCR GCSE Physics 5.1 Wave behaviour, covering 5.1.1 Describing wave motion, 5.1.2 Wavelength and frequency, 5.1.3 Wave speed, frequency and wavelength, 5.1.4 Wave speed problems, 5.1.5 Transverse and longitudinal waves, 5.1.6 Sound waves crossing between media, 5.1.7 Reflection, transmission and absorption at interfaces, 5.1.8 Sound waves and vibrations in solids, 5.1.9 Frequency range and human hearing, 5.1.10 Modelling waves with water ripples and sound, and 5.1.11 Evidence that the wave travels, not the medium. Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Paper 2 and Paper 4 include synoptic questions that draw on Topics P1–P4, so revisit earlier topics before final exams rather than treating each paper as self-contained.

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