CLARITY | CONFIDENCE | CURIOSITY
Waves and Optics
Explore how waves transfer energy and information, including sound, light and the electromagnetic spectrum.
Lessons
Explore the lessons below to build your knowledge and confidence across this topic. Each lesson breaks the physics down into clear, manageable steps, with explanations, practice and exam-focused activities to help you understand the key ideas and apply them successfully.
Transverse and Longitudinal Waves
Explore transverse and longitudinal oscillations and water-wave and sound evidence.
Wave Properties
Explore amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period and period or frequency.
The Wave Equation
Explore wave speed, frequency and wavelength and missing quantities with v = fλ.
Measuring Waves Required Practical
Explore measurements for wave investigations and wave speed from measured frequency and wavelength.
Refraction of Waves
Use wavefronts to explain changes in wave direction, speed and wavelength at boundaries.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Explore the order of the electromagnetic spectrum and wave frequency, wavelength and vacuum speed.
Radio Waves
Explore radio and microwave uses and microwave absorption and satellite links.
Visible Light
Explore infrared and visible-light uses and thermal imaging and fibre communication.
Ultraviolet
Explore UV, X-ray and gamma uses and hazards and tissue effects and radiation dose.
Uses and Hazards of EM Waves
Explore EM wave uses and hazards and properties to applications.
Infrared Radiation Required Practical
Explore surface absorption and emission trends and controlled infrared investigations.