IGCSE›Cambridge IGCSE Physics›Mind mapsGeneral Properties of WavesCambridge IGCSE Physics: Mind mapStudy pack PDFAlso for this subtopic:Revision notesFlashcardsSubtopic testCover factsEnergy transferWaves transfer energy, not matterParticles vibrate about equilibriumSound needs a mediumEM waves travel through spaceWave featuresAmplitude: equilibrium to crestWavelength λ\lambdaλ: crest to next crestFrequency: waves per second, in Hzf=1Tf = \frac{1}{T}f=T1Wavefront joins points in phaseWave equationv=fλv = f\lambdav=fλ330 m/s at 440 Hz gives 0.75 mFrequency unchanged in new mediumSpeed and wavelength change togetherWavesgeneral propertiesv=fλv=f\lambdav=fλHzm/sTwo wave typesTransverse: vibration perpendicular to travelExamples: light, water, S-wavesLongitudinal: vibration parallel to travelExamples: sound, P-wavesCompressions and rarefactionsBehaviourReflection: angle in = angle outRefraction: speed change bends the waveSlower → bends towards the normalDiffraction: spreading at gap or edgeLonger wavelength or smaller gap → more diffractionExam tipsState vibration direction relative to travelDo not confuse diffraction with refractionRefraction: frequency constant