Wave behaviour (P5.1) | OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway Science) — Higher (J249)

P5.1 Wave behaviour

Summary Waves are means of transferring energy and the two main types of wave are introduced in this section: mechanical and electromagnetic. This section considers both what these types of waves are and how they are used. The main terms used to describe waves are defined and exemplified in this topic. Underlying knowledge and understanding Learners should have prior knowledge of transverse and longitudinal waves through sound and light. Learners should be aware of how waves behave and how the speed of a wave may change as it passes through different media. They may already have knowledge of how sound is heard and the hearing ranges of different species.

Common misconceptions Although they will often have heard of the terms ultrasound and sonar, learners find it challenging to explain how images and traces are formed and to apply their understanding to calculations. Learners often misinterpret distance and displacement–time graphical presentations of waves.

Reference	Mathematical learning outcomes	Mathematical skills
$PM5.1i$	$\text{wave speed (m/s)}=\text{frequency (Hz)}\times\text{wavelength (m)}$

Learning outcomes	To include	Maths	Working scientifically	Practical suggestions
$P5.1a describe wave motion in terms of amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period$			$WS1.1b, WS1.3b, WS1.3e$	$Observing sound waves on an oscilloscope.$
$P5.1b define wavelength and frequency$
$P5.1c describe and apply the relationship between wavelength, frequency and wave velocity$		$M1a, M1b, M1c, M2a, M3a, M3b, M3c, M3d$	$WS1.1b, WS1.3a, WS1.3b, WS1.3c, WS1.3d, WS1.3e, WS1.3g, WS1.3h, WS1.3d, WS2a, WS2b$	$Investigation of reflection in a ripple tank (PAG P4)$
$P5.1d apply formulae relating velocity, frequency and wavelength$		$M1c, M3c$
$P5.1e describe differences between transverse and longitudinal waves$	$direction of travel and direction of vibration$	$M5b$	$WS1.1b, WS1.3e$	$Use of a slinky to model waves.$
$P5.1f ☑ show how changes, in velocity, frequency and wavelength, in transmission of sound waves from one medium to another, are inter-related$		$M1c, M3c$
$P5.1g ☑ describe the effects of reflection, transmission, and absorption of waves at material interface$	$examples such as ultrasound and sonar$		$WS1.2a, WS1.2b, WS1.2c, WS1.2e, WS1.3a, WS1.3e, WS1.3f, WS1.3h, WS2a, WS2b, WS2c$	$Refraction of light through a glass block. (PAG P8) Investigation of reflection with a plane mirror. (PAG P8) Demonstration of refraction of white light through a prism.$
$P5.1h ☑ describe, with examples, processes which convert wave disturbances between sound waves and vibrations in solids$	$knowledge of a simple structure of the parts of the ear is expected$		$WS1.1b, WS1.1f, WS1.3b, WS1.3e$	$Use of a signal generator and loudspeaker. Demonstration of sound waves using a Rubens’ tube or an oscilloscope.$
$P5.1i ☑ explain why such processes only work over a limited frequency range, and the relevance of this to human hearing$	$why hearing (audition) changes due to ageing$
$P5.1j describe how ripples on water surfaces are used to model transverse waves whilst sound waves in air are longitudinal waves, and how the speed of each may be measured$			$WS1.1b, WS1.3a, WS1.3b, WS1.3c, WS1.3d, WS1.3e, WS1.3g, WS1.3h, WS1.3d, WS2a, WS2b$	$Investigation of refraction in a ripple tank. (PAG P8)$
$P5.1k describe evidence for the cases of ripples on water surfaces and for sound waves in air that it is the wave that travels and not the water or the air$

Learning outcomes

To include

Maths

Working scientifically

Practical suggestions

P5.1a describe wave motion in terms of amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period

WS1.1b, WS1.3b, WS1.3e

Observing sound waves on an oscilloscope.

P5.1b define wavelength and frequency

P5.1c describe and apply the relationship between wavelength, frequency and wave velocity

M1a, M1b, M1c, M2a, M3a, M3b, M3c, M3d

WS1.1b, WS1.3a, WS1.3b, WS1.3c, WS1.3d, WS1.3e, WS1.3g, WS1.3h, WS1.3d, WS2a, WS2b

Investigation of reflection in a ripple tank (PAG P4)

P5.1d apply formulae relating velocity, frequency and wavelength

M1c, M3c

P5.1e describe differences between transverse and longitudinal waves

direction of travel and direction of vibration

M5b

WS1.1b, WS1.3e

Use of a slinky to model waves.

P5.1f ☑ show how changes, in velocity, frequency and wavelength, in transmission of sound waves from one medium to another, are inter-related

M1c, M3c

P5.1g ☑ describe the effects of reflection, transmission, and absorption of waves at material interface

examples such as ultrasound and sonar

WS1.2a, WS1.2b, WS1.2c, WS1.2e, WS1.3a, WS1.3e, WS1.3f, WS1.3h, WS2a, WS2b, WS2c

Refraction of light through a glass block. (PAG P8) Investigation of reflection with a plane mirror. (PAG P8) Demonstration of refraction of white light through a prism.

P5.1h ☑ describe, with examples, processes which convert wave disturbances between sound waves and vibrations in solids

knowledge of a simple structure of the parts of the ear is expected

WS1.1b, WS1.1f, WS1.3b, WS1.3e

Use of a signal generator and loudspeaker. Demonstration of sound waves using a Rubens’ tube or an oscilloscope.

P5.1i ☑ explain why such processes only work over a limited frequency range, and the relevance of this to human hearing

why hearing (audition) changes due to ageing

P5.1j describe how ripples on water surfaces are used to model transverse waves whilst sound waves in air are longitudinal waves, and how the speed of each may be measured

WS1.1b, WS1.3a, WS1.3b, WS1.3c, WS1.3d, WS1.3e, WS1.3g, WS1.3h, WS1.3d, WS2a, WS2b

Investigation of refraction in a ripple tank. (PAG P8)

P5.1k describe evidence for the cases of ripples on water surfaces and for sound waves in air that it is the wave that travels and not the water or the air

Wave behaviour

Next Steps

Learning Objectives