Section 3 d) Specification

3.14 understand that light waves are transverse waves which can be reflected,
refracted and diffracted

Light waves (electromagnetic waves) are transverse, meaning they oscillate perpendicular to the direction of travel. They are able to be reflected off of shiny surfaces at the same angle that they hit the surface with, refracted by the angles when changing from one medium to another (e.g. glass and air) slowing different parts of the light and causing it to bend, and diffracted by spreading out after passing a barrier.

3.15 use the law of reflection (the angle of incidence equals the angle of
reflection)

When you look into a plane mirror, the image is not distorted, it shows it as it is. This is because the angle does not change when light is reflected. It hits the mirror at one angle, and it will reflect at the same angle, about the normal.

This is easily remembered: i = r

3.16 construct ray diagrams to illustrate the formation of a virtual image in a
plane mirror

A virtual image can be created using a phenomenon called Pepper's Ghost. The ray diagram below provides explanation.

Another example of virtual imagery is placing two candles  equidistance from glass, so they are symmetrical, then lighting the one in front of the glass. The light will be reflected by the glass, and the candle behind will also appear to be lit.

3.17 describe experiments to investigate the refraction of light, using rectangular
blocks, semicircular blocks and triangular prisms

1. Place a glass or clear plastic rectangular prism on a sheet of paper and outline with pencil.
2. Decide the point at which you will shine the light in, and draw a perpendicular line - the normal. Draw other lines at different angles (ever 10 degrees) using a protractor.
3. Shine a light into the block at the normal, and mark two Xs on the emergent line. Repeat this with all of the angles you marked.
4. Connect the Xs, then connect them up to the original to create the light paths. Do the same thing for different types of blocks (semicircular prisms, triangular prisms, etc. )

Using a coloured light, maybe red or blue, would be easier than using white light because white light is made up of all different coloured light and so may split into a rainbow and be difficult to measure.

3.18 know and use the relationship between refractive index, angle of incidence
and angle of refraction:
n= sin i / sin r

This relationship is important to know, and will likely be asked for you to recall.
refractive index = sin (angle of incidence) / sin (angle of refraction)

3.19 describe an experiment to determine the refractive index of glass, using a
glass block

Shine a light through a glass block at different angles, with an interval of 10 degrees. Mark the emergent line, then connect back to the original line. Measure the angle of incidence, and use sin(i) / sin(r) to find the refractive index of each of the angles you measured, then find an average of them to get a more accurate result.

3.20 describe the role of total internal reflection in transmitting information along
optical fibres and in prisms

Total internal reflection allows light to be reflected inside a medium, so the information can be transmitted long distances, it is essentially trapped in there, because it is constantly reflected at an angle larger than its critical angle.

3.21 explain the meaning of critical angle c

The critical angle is the angle at which the light is neither reflected or refracted; any bigger and it will be totally reflected, any smaller and it will be refracted.

3.22 know and use the relationship between critical angle and refractive index:
sin c = 1 / n

This is another really important formula to know, and again will probably come up in the exam.
sin (critical angle) = 1 / refractive index

3.23 understand the difference between analogue and digital signals

Analogue signals are continuous, they have constantly varying frequencies and amplitudes.

Digital signals have two settings only: 1 and 0

3.24 describe the advantages of using digital signals rather than analogue signals

Analogue signals are easily distorted or altered, and are difficult or impossible to restore to their original state. Digital signals are more easily restored if distorted because they only have two settings.

3.25 describe how digital signals can carry more information

Digital signals have a larger bandwidth than analogue signals, meaning more information can be carried at once.

3.26 understand that sound waves are longitudinal waves and how they can be reflected, refracted and diffracted

Sound waves are longitudinal, they oscillate parallel to the direction of travel. Similarly to transverse electromagnetic waves, they can be reflected, refracted and diffracted.

3.27 understand that the frequency range for human hearing is 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz

Humans can only hear a small range of frequencies, between 20 and 20 thousand hertz .

3.28 describe an experiment to measure the speed of sound in air

1. Measure the distance between where you're standing and a large flat wall. 
2. Using clapping blocks, make a noise, then make another every time you hear an echo.
3. Once you are clapping at a steady rhythm, use a stopwatch to time how long 10 time intervals are (count 11 claps)
4. Use this to calculate how long it is for 1 clap (divide by 10), then divide the distance by the time for one clap. (if the distance from you to the wall is 100 m, use 200 m because the vibration needs to travel there and back)
5. The result should be around 343 m/s

3.29 understand how an oscilloscope and microphone can be used to display a sound wave

A microphone can be connected to a cathode ray oscilloscope, and used to detect the sound. The oscilloscope will begin tracing the pattern of frequency and amplitude and display it as a wave or a straight line.

3.30 describe an experiment using an oscilloscope to determine the frequency of a sound wave

Make a noise into a microphone connected to an oscilloscope. It will make a trace, which you can count the number of divisions for one oscillation. You can also adjust the time base to get more workable numbers. For example, if one division is 5 milliseconds, and one oscillation is 4 divisions, we know that it is 20 milliseconds per oscillation, or 0.02 seconds.
f = 1 / t
so f = 1 / 0.02
f = 50 Hz

3.31 relate the pitch of a sound to the frequency of vibration of the source

High pitched sounds have a high frequency, low pitched sounds have a low frequency.

3.32 relate the loudness of a sound to the amplitude of vibration.

The larger the amplitude, the louder the sound will be.

Section 3 c) Summary

The electromagnetic spectrum is a spectrum of electromagnetic waves/radiation, split into 7 main parts, each with its own uses and hazards.

The first section is radio waves. These waves have the longest wavelength, and lowest frequency. They are used for satellite transmissions: communicating and broadcasting. Very large doses can cause cancers (such as leukaemia), and other disorders. Luckily, most people aren't ever in contact with large doses, so this isn't much of a cause for concern.

Microwaves have a slightly higher frequency and lower wavelength than radio waves, and are obviously used for cooking in microwave ovens (the energy causes particles to vibrate in food), but they are also used in satellite transmissions. These waves however, can cause damage to body tissues as it heats them up. This can cause enzymes to denature and irreparable tissue damage. Microwaves are contained, though. In microwave ovens, they are contained within the appliance and only emitted when sealed and on. People who work on aircraft carriers and are exposed to high doses of microwaves wear clothing that reflects the radiation.

Infrared radiation is used for short range communications, such as in tv remote controls, and also for heating (toasters, heat lamps, etc.) as well as night vision equipment and thermal imaging. All objects emit IR to some degree. Its only danger is overheating, which can be avoided by attempting to cool yourself down. Have a cold drink maybe?

Visible light is the light and colours detectable by our unaided vision. It is used in photography, optic cables, screens, printers, DVDs, and anything we need to see! Dangers are simply that too much light can damage the retina in the eye and cause temporary or permanent vision loss. This can be remedied by simply not looking at bright things, like the sun (our body's natural reflexes tend to help us avoid this anyway)

Ultraviolet, or U.V. light, is emitted by the sun. It's used for tanning beds, fluorescent lights, detecting forged bank notes, hardening dental fillings, reading invisible ink, and sterilising water and food. It has many dangers, however. For example, sun burn, skin cancer and vision damage or loss. By wearing U.V.-blocking sunglasses, sun cream, and covering up with hats, clothing and shade, the effects of U.V. can be reduced.

X-rays are useful for seeing inside things, such as the bones in your body, or looking in suitcases in airports without having to open and check through it. In seeing bones, x-rays are sent through the patient, and areas such as bones absorb the radiation, leaving a white patch, while the soft tissue is easily travelled through by the rays. X-rays can cause cell damage and cancer, so precautions people who work with them daily, such as doctors or airport security include standing behind a lead shield, or containing it within a lead box. Patients receiving an x-ray near to vital organs may have lead sheets placed over their heads or chests.

Gamma rays are able to kill living cells, so are used to target cancer cells and kill them. This is very precise and avoids damaging other cells or tissue. This is called radiotherapy. It is also used in radioactive tracers, which can be put inside a patient's body to see what part of it isn't working correctly. They are also used to sterilise food and medical equipment. However gamma rays can be very dangerous. They cause mutations, especially in rapidly growing tissue (in unborn babies this is especially dangerous). It can cause cell damage, and a variety of cancers. Gamma rays can be trapped by a few feet of lead, water or concrete. Thick, dense shielding is necessary for protection.

Useful resource: http://www.darvill.clara.net/emag/index.htm

Section 3 c) Key Words

Electromagnetic spectrum: A spectrum of frequencies or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation divided into 7 sections.

Electromagnetic waves: A wave produced by the acceleration of electric charge. It is transverse, so it oscillates perpendicular to the direction of energy travel.

Gamma rays: The highest frequency, and shortest wavelength on the electromagnetic spectrum.

Infrared: Waves with a lower frequency than visible light, but higher than microwaves.

Microwaves: Waves with a lower frequency than infrared, but higher than radio waves.

Radio waves: Waves with the lowest frequency, and longest wavelength found on the electromagnetic spectrum.

Ultraviolet (U.V.): Waves with a higher frequency than visible light, but lower than x-rays.

Visible light: Found in the middle of the electromagnetic spectrum, visible light is the light and colours we can see, split into 7 colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

X-rays: Waves with a higher frequency than U.V., but lower than gamma rays.

Section 3 c) Specification

3.10 understand that light is part of a continuous electromagnetic spectrum which
includes radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray and gamma
ray radiations and that all these waves travel at the same speed in free
space

Visible light is found in the middle of the electromagnetic spectrum, a range of frequencies of waves:

3.11 identify the order of the electromagnetic spectrum in terms of decreasing
wavelength and increasing frequency, including the colours of the visible
spectrum

In order of increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength, the electromagnetic spectrum is:

Radio Waves

Microwaves

Infrared radiation

Visible light

• Red
• Orange
• Yellow
• Green
• Blue
• Indigo
• Violet

Ultraviolet light

X-rays

Gamma rays

3.12 explain some of the uses of electromagnetic radiations, including:

• radio waves: broadcasting and communications
• microwaves: cooking and satellite transmissions
• infrared: heaters and night vision equipment
• visible light: optical fibres and photography
• ultraviolet: fluorescent lamps
• x-rays: observing the internal structure of objects and materials and medical applications
• gamma rays: sterilising food and medical equipment

Radio waves are used for broadcasting and communications, satellite transmissions, etc.

Microwaves are used for cooking and satellite transmissions

Infrared radiation is used for heaters, cooking (like in toasters) and night vision equipment, short range communications (e.g. tv remotes).

Visible light is used for optical fibres, photography, and everyday screens, lighting, etc.

Ultraviolet light is used for fluorescent lights, tanning beds, disinfecting water, detecting forged bank notes, etc.

X-rays allow us to see inside objects, for example bones inside a body or security screening through suitcases at airports.

Gamma rays are used for killing cancer cells, sterilising food and medical equipment, and detecting cancer.

3.13 understand the detrimental effects of excessive exposure of the human body
to electromagnetic waves, including:

• microwaves: internal heating of body tissue
• infrared: skin burns
• ultraviolet: damage to surface cells and blindness
• gamma rays: cancer, mutation

and describe simple protective measures against the risks.

Even with their many uses, electromagnetic waves have dangerous side effects. The most common hazards are:

Microwaves cause internal heating of body tissues, which is dangerous because it can cause enzymes to denature and badly damage the body. Contact with microwaves can be avoided by ensuring that when they are used, it is in low doses and higher doses are contained (in microwave ovens, they are only emitted when it is switched on and the door is closed)

Infrared radiation can cause burns to the skin, it is felt as heat therefore its hazards are heat related. It can be reduced by shiny silvery surfaces.

Ultraviolet rays, emitted by the sun, kill and cause mutations in skin cells, leading to skin cancer. It can also permanently damage sensitive parts of the eye and cause blindness, as well as sun burn, which is why it is important to wear sun cream, sun glasses, and hats or clothes that cover and protect from the sun.

Gamma rays can kill cancer cells, but in untargeted or incorrect exposure, it can cause cells to mutate and therefore cause cancer. This can be avoided by simply avoiding environments where you could come into contact with gamma rays, but it can be reduced and contained by concrete or lead.

Section 3 b) Summary

Waves can be transverse or longitudinal. These two types of waves have similarities and differences:

You can see transverse waves by jerking a rope up and down, it will make an 'S' shape.
If you stretch out a slinky spring, you can push it forwards and backwards to create waves of compression, like longitudinal waves.
You can also see longitudinal waves in a ripple/wave tank.

You can use a variety of formula triangles to calculate the different aspects of waves, such as speed, frequency, wavelength, and more.
These can be used in different contexts and are important to learn and know.



Waves, when passing an edge or a gap, can be diffracted. This is when waves are bent as they pass the edge of an object, and then spread. The effect of diffraction varies depending on the ratio of the wavelength to the size of the gap.

If the gap is proportionally smaller, the diffraction effect will be more. The reverse is also true.

Section 3 b) Key Words

Amplitude: The height or size of a wave. Measured in metres.

Crest: The highest point of the wave.

Diffraction: When a wave is bent and spread as it passes around an edge or through a gap.

Frequency: The number of waves in a certain time period.

Longitudinal: A wave that oscillates parallel to the direction of travel (e.g. sound waves)

Transverse: A wave that oscillates perpendicular to the direction of travel (e.g. waves on the electromagnetic spectrum)

Trough: The lowest point of the wave.

Wavelength: The distance between the crests of two waves, the length of one wave.

Wave period: The length of time it takes for one wave to be completed.

Section 3 b) Specification

3.2 understand the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves and describe experiments to show longitudinal and transverse waves in, for example, ropes, springs and water

Transverse waves oscillate perpendicular to the direction of travel, and look like this:

Longitudinal waves oscillate parallel to the direction of travel, and look like this:

Transverse waves are able to travel in a vacuum, longitudinal waves require particles to be able to transfer energy.
You can see transverse waves by holding a rope and jerking it up and down. It will form the 'S' shape that is recognisable as a transverse wave.
You can see longitudinal waves by stretching out a spring, then moving your hand backwards and forwards to create compressions in the spring.

You can use a wave tank to see longitudinal oscillations; a vibrating bar is placed at one end of the tank, creating waves as it moves. By shining a light through, the waves can be projected onto paper underneath, or onto the ceiling.

3.3 define amplitude, frequency, wavelength and period of a wave

Amplitude: How high a wave goes, how big it is. The distance from 0 to the crest of the wave.
Frequency: How many waves pass in a certain period of time
Wavelength: The distance between the same points of two consecutive waves (e.g. two crests or two troughs)
Period: How long it takes for one wavelength to travel past a certain point

3.4 understand that waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter

We know that waves are able to transfer energy and information without transferring matter because we can get the information through matter. Light is able to travel through solid glass, and we can hear people talking through walls and doors. These objects do not move, but we still receive the energy and information through waves.

3.5 know and use the relationship between the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave:
wave speed = frequency × wavelength
v = f × λ

This relationship is important, as it helps us to calculate a variety of different quanities that are necessary in this topic.

3.6 use the relationship between frequency and time period:
frequency = 1 / time period
f = 1 / t

3.7 use the above relationships in different contexts including sound waves and electromagnetic waves

Using the triangle method, you can manipulate different questions to answer it correctly.

3.8 understand that waves can be diffracted when they pass an edge

When waves hit an edge, they can be diffracted to spread around the space as shown in the diagram below

3.9 understand that waves can be diffracted through gaps, and that the extent of diffraction depends on the wavelength and the physical dimension of the gap.

When a wave passes through a gap, it is forced through, and then once it is able to reach the other side it can spread out:

How much the wave is diffracted depends on the width of the gap, and the wavelength. The smaller the gap in proportion to the wavelength, the bigger the diffraction effect.