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AS · Topic 7

The anatomy of a wave.

From progressive waves and the wave equation v = fλ to the difference between transverse and longitudinal motion, the electromagnetic spectrum, the Doppler effect for sound, and polarisation with Malus's law. This is where AS Physics first asks for proportional reasoning at speed. Play the five simulations below; the gamified lessons, the topic Paper 1 practice and the concept map are all live below too.

Simulations · live
Interactive · live Progressive waves Drag frequency and amplitude and read displacement, period and wavelength straight off the travelling wave as energy carries along it. Loads only when you launch, so the page stays fast.
Interactive · live Wave types: transverse and longitudinal Watch particles oscillate across the direction of travel, then along it, to see how compressions and rarefactions differ from crests and troughs. Loads only when you launch, so the page stays fast.
Interactive · live The electromagnetic spectrum Slide across the spectrum from radio to gamma and watch wavelength and frequency trade off at the constant speed c. Loads only when you launch, so the page stays fast.
Interactive · live The Doppler effect Move the source and hear the pitch rise as it approaches and fall as it recedes, with f₀ = fₛv ÷ (v ± vₛ) tracking the wavefronts. Loads only when you launch, so the page stays fast.
Interactive · live Polarisation and Malus's law Rotate the analyser and watch the transmitted intensity follow I = I₀cos²θ, dropping to zero at the crossed angle. Loads only when you launch, so the page stays fast.
Paper 1 practice · live
Multiple-choice · with worked solutions Paper 1 style multiple-choice questions A full topic set across progressive waves, the wave equation, the Doppler effect and Malus's law, linking the lessons with full worked solutions. Open practice →
Lessons · live
Progressive waves and the wave equation → Transverse and longitudinal waves → The Doppler effect for sound waves → The electromagnetic spectrum → Polarisation and Malus's law →
Concept map
Open the concept map →