GCSE›AQA GCSE Physics›Mind mapsProperties of WavesAQA GCSE Physics: Mind mapStudy pack PDFAlso for this subtopic:Revision notesFlashcardsSubtopic testCover factsWave typesWaves transfer energy, not matterTransverse: oscillation at right angles to travelLongitudinal: oscillation parallel to travelTransverse: light, water ripplesSound wavesSound is longitudinalCompressions: particles squeezed togetherRarefactions: particles spread apartParticles only oscillate in placeDescribing wavesAmplitude: maximum displacement from restWavelength: distance between equivalent pointsFrequency: waves per second, in HzPeriod: time for one waveWavesproperties of wavesfffλ\lambdaλHzm/sEquationsT=1fT = \frac{1}{f}T=f1v=fλv = f\lambdav=fλ50 Hz, 2 m → 100 m/sMeasuring speedTime sound over a known distanceTime ripples over a known distanceSpeed = distance ÷ timeExam tipsFrequency and period are reciprocalsWave carries energy, particles do not travelRead amplitude and wavelength from the trace