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ScotlandPhysics

Area 5: Waves

3 dot points across 3 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What are the bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, and how are they used and detected?

The electromagnetic spectrum: the order of the bands by wavelength and frequency, that all travel at the speed of light, and the uses, sources and detectors of each band including the dangers of the high-energy bands.
An SQA National 5 Physics answer on the electromagnetic spectrum, covering the order of the seven bands by wavelength and frequency, that all travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, the relationship v equals f times wavelength applied to light, and the uses, sources, detectors and dangers of each band.
10 min answer →

Why does light bend when it passes from one material into another?

Refraction of light: the change of direction when light crosses a boundary between materials, the angles of incidence and refraction, why refraction happens, and the action of a lens and total internal reflection.
An SQA National 5 Physics answer on the refraction of light, covering the change of direction when light crosses a boundary, the angles of incidence and refraction measured from the normal, why refraction happens (a change of speed), how a lens uses refraction, and total internal reflection in optical fibres.
10 min answer →

What quantities describe a wave, and how do we calculate wave speed and frequency?

Wave parameters and behaviours: the meaning of wavelength, frequency, period, amplitude and speed, the wave equations, the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves, and wave behaviours such as reflection and diffraction.
An SQA National 5 Physics answer on wave parameters and behaviours, covering wavelength, frequency, period, amplitude and wave speed, the relationships v equals f times wavelength and frequency as one over period, the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves, and wave behaviours including reflection and diffraction.
10 min answer →