GCSE · Physics · AQA · Spec 8463
Transverse and longitudinal waves
Physics · Wave properties
Wave Properties Explorer
Adjust the sliders and watch how amplitude, frequency and wavelength interact
Amplitude
5cm
Wavelength λ
2.00m
Frequency f
2Hz
Speed v = fλ
4m/s
The wave equation, live
2 Hz × 2.00 m = 4 m/s
Drag amplitude — the wave grows taller, but its speed and wavelength don't change. Drag frequency — the peaks crowd together, wavelength shrinks, and v = fλ keeps the books balanced. Period T = 0.5 s.
Stop and think
Picture a Mexican wave in a stadium, then picture sound travelling from a speaker to your ear — which is which?
A student says: 'In a longitudinal wave, the particles travel from the source to your ear — that's how sound reaches you.' What is wrong with this statement?
How a longitudinal wave travels
Follow one compression from where it starts to where it ends up
Waves and energy transfer
Reason it through
Why can a wave carry energy from one place to another without matter travelling with it?
First link · your turn
What does each particle in the medium actually do when a wave passes?
Relationship matrix
Tap any cell to reveal it. Tap a column header to read one property down every item.
Each cell hides a short answer and the reason behind it. Predict before you tap.
Cross-subject · Exam skill
Command Word Coach — Waves on AQA
Know exactly what AQA Paper 2 is asking before you write a word
01Definition
Give a concise factual answer — no explanation needed.
02Mark-band signal
1-mark retrieval — one clear sentence scores full marks
03Sentence stems
- State one difference between a transverse and a longitudinal wave.
- State the equation linking wave speed, frequency and wavelength.
- State what is meant by the amplitude of a wave.
04Common mistake
Students over-explain and then contradict themselves — keep it to one crisp sentence naming the direction of oscillation relative to energy transfer.
Equations you need
Taken directly from the exam-board specification.
v = wave speed (m/s) · f = frequency (Hz) · λ = wavelength (m)
Learn it — you must recall this in the exam
T = period (s) · f = frequency (Hz)
Given on the equation sheet — you must know how to use it
WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED
A quick recap of today's lesson.
How waves move energy — and why the medium never travels with them
Learning with Lightbulb is opening soon
You can use this lesson now. Join the waitlist and we'll let you know when the full Lightbulb experience is ready.
Keep me postedMore AQA GCSE Physics topics
- Acceleration (a = Δv/t)
- Background radiation (physics only)
- Black body radiation – emission and absorption (physics only)
- Current, resistance and potential difference (V = I R)
- Density of materials (ρ = m/V)
- Different half-lives of radioactive isotopes (physics only)
- Direct and alternating potential difference
- Distance and displacement
- Distance–time graphs
- Doing work on a gas (physics only, HT only)
- Efficiency
- Electric fields (physics only)
How this lesson was checked. This AQA GCSE Physics (specification 8463)lesson was published through Lightbulb Learning's human-designed editorial process — the educational standards, accuracy rules and publication checks it must pass were authored and approved by Philip Halpin. It passed subject-specific assessment, automated educational checks and technical publication verification before going live (publication checks completed 3 August 2026). Published pages are monitored, human spot-checking is ongoing across the lesson library, and anything found wrong is corrected or withdrawn. How our lessons are made and checked. Spotted a mistake? Email hello@lightbulblearning.co and we'll review it.