Waves and Sound

Where this fits in the syllabus

Grade 11 · Term 2

Key points to revise

Revise Waves and Sound fast with concise, exam-ready key points

About O/L Science: O/L Science integrates physics, chemistry, and biology into a single subject across Grade 10 and 11.

• Wave properties: amplitude, wavelength (λ), frequency (f), period (T), wave speed (v)
• v = fλ; T = 1/f
• Transverse waves: vibration ⊥ direction of travel (light, water waves)
• Longitudinal waves: vibration ∥ direction of travel (sound, seismic P-waves)
• Sound: needs medium; ~340 m/s in air; faster in denser medium

Must know

• Period (T): time for one full wave; T = 1/f
• Wave speed: v = fλ
• Sound: needs medium; ≈340 m/s in air; faster in liquids/solids
• Light: 3 × 10⁸ m/s (vacuum); electromagnetic wave; no medium needed
• Pitch ↔ frequency; Loudness ↔ amplitude

Source: NIE O/L Science Grade 10 — Unit 11: Waves, Sound and Light

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In the Syllabus