Understanding Wave Behaviour in IGCSE Physics
Wave behaviours
Waves are vibrations that transfer energy and information without transferring matter. There are two types of waves, transverse and longitudinal waves. Transverse waves have peaks and troughs, where the vibrations are at right angles to the direction of travel. An example of transverse waves are light waves. Longitudinal waves consist of vibrations that are parallel to the direction of travel. These waves consist of compressions, where the particles are pushed together, and rarefactions, where particles move apart. All waves can be reflected and refracted, and can be represented by a ray diagram to show the direction of the wavelength after encountering a different medium. Reflection occurs when a wave hits a boundary between two media, but instead of passing into the second medium, it stays in the original medium. Refraction occurs when a wave passes a boundary between two different transparent media and undergoes a change in direction.
At IGCSE level, physics students are expected to know all of the types of waves found in the electromagnetic spectrum, the uses of these waves in real life contexts and the potential hazards. Those studying IGCSE physics are also expected to know the order of waves in decreasing wavelength and increasing frequency, including the colours of the visible spectrum.
IGCSE Past paper question
Let’s take a look at the below question from an IGCSE physics past paper:
How to respond to an IGCSE past paper question
To achieve full marks for this question, IGCSE candidates must include the following information: the refractive index of the glass block is greater than the refractive index of air. This means that as the ray of light enters the glass block, the speed and wavelength changes. The speed of the light ray decreases, whilst the wavelength also becomes shorter, resulting in the ray of light refracting towards the normal.
Effective support for IGCSE
IGCSE students, not simply those studying physics, often need assistance in both course content and how to respond to questions within the format of the IGCSE examination. This is often much trickier than simply having the knowledge of wave behaviours, and instead involves having a refined understanding of IGCSE content and the relevant IGCSE exam technique.
At BartyED, our team of expert tutors have guided countless students through their IGCSEs and beyond. We have a wealth of experience in supporting students in all IGCSE subjects, including IGCSE physics. Our highly-trained tutors focus on mastery of both content and exam technique, leaving students far more confident and ready to face the challenges of IGCSEs.
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