Chapter 9
General properties of waves
A wave transfers energy as a disturbance travels.
Distinguish wave travel from particle motion and use measured spacing and time to calculate speed or distance.
Includes transverse and longitudinal waves, sound and echoes. For K326 / K327 (2027) / 5086 / 5087 (2026).
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What travels in a wave?
Separate particle vibration from propagation and compare transverse and longitudinal waves.
Wave quantities and graphs
Read amplitude and wavelength from a snapshot, and period and frequency from a time trace.
Determining wave speed
Connect frequency, wavelength and speed, and interpret wave measurements.
Sound, pitch and loudness
Explain sound transmission through a medium and compare amplitude with frequency.
Echoes and distance
Trace the outward and return paths before calculating a reflecting surface's distance.