AQA•A-Level•Physics
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Waves
Progressive waves, stationary waves, refraction, diffraction and interference
Practice 47 subtopics in Waves. All questions match the AQA A-Level specification.
About Waves
Waves is a key topic in the AQA A-Level Physicsspecification. This topic covers progressive waves, stationary waves, refraction, diffraction and interference.
Master all 47 subtopics below with unlimited AI-generated questions. Each subtopic page includes sample questions and the ability to generate unlimited practice questions with detailed solutions.
All Subtopics (47)
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Wave motion and energy transferTransverse and longitudinal wavesDisplacement, amplitude, wavelengthPeriod, frequency and phasePhase difference in radians and degreesWave speed equation: v = fλOscillation direction relative to wave travelCompressions and rarefactionsPolarisation of transverse wavesPolaroid filtersMalus's law (intensity variation)Applications of polarisationPolarisation by reflectionAerial alignment for transmission/receptionFormation of stationary wavesNodes and antinodesComparison with progressive wavesStationary waves on stringsHarmonics and overtonesFundamental frequencyFirst harmonic equation: f = 1/(2L) × √(T/μ)Stationary waves in pipesOpen and closed pipesRequired practical: stationary waves on a stringPath difference and phase differenceCoherent sourcesConstructive and destructive interferenceTwo-source interferenceYoung's double slit experimentFringe spacing equation: w = λD/sWhite light interferenceRequired practical: Young's double slitDiffraction at a single slitWidth of central maximumEffect of slit width on diffraction patternDiffraction grating equation: d sin θ = nλOrders of diffractionGrating applications: spectrometryAngular separation of spectral linesRefractive index: n = c/vSnell's law: n₁ sin θ₁ = n₂ sin θ₂Total internal reflectionCritical angle calculationOptical fibres: step-indexMaterial and modal dispersionPulse broadening in fibresApplications of optical fibres
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