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GCSE Physics · key term
A line joining points on a wave that are at the same stage of their cycle, such as a line along a crest.
Used by Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.4, 4.7 · Paper 1
Revise: Wave TermsAmplitude describes the size of the disturbance, period describes its timing, wave velocity describes how quickly it propagates and wavefronts show its position and direction of travel.
A line joining points on a wave that are at the same stage of an oscillation; ripple-tank wavefronts appear as parallel bright or dark lines.
Specification P5.3b · Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 4 (Higher)
A line joining points on a wave that are at the same stage of an oscillation.
Revise: Velocity and effectsImagine a straight wavefront approaching a glass surface at an angle. One side of the wavefront reaches the glass first and slows first, while the other side is still travelling faster in air. The slower side covers less distance during the same time, so the wavefront pivots.
Paper 1, Paper 2
A line joining points at the same stage of a wave, such as a line along a water-wave crest.
Revise: PAG 4: Measuring WavesThe repeated lines in this pattern allow you to identify successive wavefronts.
Measure the spacing of wavefronts perpendicular to the wavefront lines.
Do not describe timing the movement of water particles across the tank: the particles oscillate while the wavefront and energy travel.
State the complete causal chain: the wave enters a substance in which its speed is different, one side of the wavefront changes speed first, and the wave changes direction.
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