What this topic covers
Waves has 2 subtopics:
- Progressive and stationary waves
- Refraction, diffraction and interference
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A Level AQA Physics · Topic 3 of 13
Waves – A Level AQA Physics revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Waves covers Progressive and stationary waves and Refraction, diffraction and interference in A Level AQA Physics. 13 lessons in 2 subtopics.
Revise Waves for A Level AQA Physics, including Progressive and stationary waves and Refraction, diffraction and interference. 13 lessons across 2 subtopics.
13
Lessons
2
Subtopics
Waves lessons by subtopic
13 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Progressive and stationary waves
- Longitudinal vs. Transverse Waves: Explore the fundamental differences between longitudinal and transverse waves, with examples and a focus on particle/field displacement relative to energy propagation.
- Polarisation of Transverse Waves: Investigate polarisation as evidence for transverse wave nature and its practical applications, including Polaroid material and aerial alignment.
- Introduction to Stationary Waves: Explore the properties of stationary waves, including nodes, antinodes, and their formation through superposition.
- Stationary Wave Equation and Practical Investigation: Understand the relationship between frequency, length, tension, and mass per unit length in stationary waves, and prepare for the required practical investigation.
- Understanding Progressive Waves: An introduction to progressive waves, their properties, and the oscillation of particles within the medium.
Refraction, diffraction and interference
- Refraction and Snell's Law: Learn about the refractive index, Snell's law, and their application to refraction at a plane surface.
- Total Internal Reflection and Fibre Optics: Explore total internal reflection, critical angle, and the principles behind fibre optics, including cladding.
- Dispersion in Optical Fibres: Understand material and modal dispersion in optical fibres, and their effects on pulse broadening and absorption.
- Single Slit Diffraction: Explore diffraction patterns from single slits using monochromatic and white light, and how the central maximum varies with wavelength and slit width.
- Diffraction Gratings: Learn about diffraction gratings, derive the equation dsinθ = nλ, and investigate their applications.
- Path Difference and Coherence: Learn about path difference, coherence, and the use of lasers in interference experiments.
- Young's Double Slit and Fringe Spacing: Explore Young's double-slit experiment and the relationship between fringe spacing, wavelength, and slit separation. Includes working with white light.
- Interference with Sound and EM Waves and Practical Activity: Describe and explain interference with sound and electromagnetic waves, the changing understanding of EM radiation and introduce the required practical.
More in this course
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Frequently asked questions
What is Waves?
Waves covers Progressive and stationary waves and Refraction, diffraction and interference in A Level AQA Physics. 13 lessons in 2 subtopics.
What is the wave equation?
The wave equation is c = fλ, where c is wave speed in m s⁻¹, f is frequency in Hz and λ is wavelength in m. The Understanding Progressive Waves notes cover this in full.
What is Snell's law?
Snell's law states that n₁ sin θ₁ = n₂ sin θ₂, where n₁ and n₂ are the refractive indices of the two media and θ₁ and θ₂ are the angles the ray makes with the normal on each side of the boundary. The Refraction and Snell's Law notes cover this in full.
What are examples of transverse waves?
Examples of transverse waves include waves on a stretched string, all electromagnetic waves such as light, radio waves and X-rays, and, as an approximate model, water surface waves. The Longitudinal vs. Transverse Waves notes cover this in full.
What are examples of longitudinal waves?
Examples of longitudinal waves include sound waves in air, compression waves along a slinky spring and ultrasound waves used in medical imaging. The Longitudinal vs. Transverse Waves notes cover this in full.
What is the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves?
In a transverse wave the particle or field oscillation is perpendicular to the direction of energy propagation, while in a longitudinal wave the particles oscillate parallel to it, producing compressions and rarefactions. The Longitudinal vs. Transverse Waves notes cover this in full.
What is a transverse wave?
A transverse wave is a wave in which the oscillation of particles, or of electric and magnetic fields, is perpendicular to the direction of energy propagation. The Longitudinal vs. Transverse Waves notes cover this in full.
What is the definition of wavelength?
Wavelength is the minimum distance between two points oscillating in phase, measured in metres. The Understanding Progressive Waves notes cover this in full.
What is a longitudinal wave?
A longitudinal wave is a wave in which particles oscillate parallel to the direction of energy propagation, producing compressions (regions of high pressure) and rarefactions (regions of low pressure). The Longitudinal vs. Transverse Waves notes cover this in full.