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General properties of waves
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What a wave does

What a wave does

Labelled transverse rope wave and longitudinal slinky wave showing amplitude, wavelength, crest, trough, compression, rarefaction, vibration direction and propagation direction

A wave is a travelling disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another. In mechanical waves, the particles of the medium vibrate around fixed positions while the wave pattern propagates.

General properties of waves Lesson

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /General properties of waves

Step-by-step lessons covering CIE IGCSE Physics General properties of waves for Core and Extended tier. Each lesson breaks down General properties of waves, then works through exam-style questions in Paper 1 and Paper 3 (Core) or Paper 2 and Paper 4 (Extended), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 format. Build a strong foundation in mechanics and electricity before tackling the more mathematically demanding astrophysics and nuclear topics.