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Edexcel IGCSE Physics · Spec 3.8

Investigating Waves

Required practical: investigating waves in a ripple tank and on a string.

Physics revision video

Investigating Waves

Spec 3.8

What you need to know

  • Measure the frequency and wavelength of waves
  • Find the wave speed from those measurements
  • Describe doing this with a ripple tank and with a string

Active recall

Quick check

Answer each question before opening the answer.

How can you find the speed of water waves in a ripple tank?

Measure the frequency and the wavelength and use v = f × λ.

How do you measure the frequency of a wave?

Count the number of waves passing a point each second (or use f = 1 ÷ T).

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