WJEC AS A2 Physics 2009 and 2010

This section of the website contains suggestions for material that could be used with the WJEC Physics AS and A2 Specification (2009 and 2010).

WJEC is not affiliated with the author of the site and has had no involvement with the content of this website.

The website does not necessarily cover all topics or to the correct depth required for this specification although some sections may cover topics in more detail than is needed. It is the responsibility of the individual teacher to select the appropriate material.

References to work from the GCSE section of the site that would be useful
at AS/A2 level are shown as (14-16) or (11- 14)

I am grateful to WJEC for permission to reproduce adapted versions of text from their Physics GCE Specification on this site.

For the full version of the specification please see: WJEC AS and A2 Physics 2009/2010

2.1 WAVES

(a) Progressive waves
Waves (11-14)

(b) Transverse and longitudinal waves
Transverse and longitudinal waves

(c) Polarisation
Polarisation

(d) Wave terms
Wave motion

(e) Wave graphs
Wave motion

(f) Wave equation (v = frequency x wavelength)
Wave motion

(g) Diffraction
Diffraction
Diffraction by a loudspeaker
Diffraction (14-16)

16-19/Wave properties/Diffraction/Problems/Diffraction 1
16-19/Wave properties/Diffraction/Problems/Diffraction 2

(h) Superposition of waves
Wave superposition
Super position of waves

(i) Double slit interference experiments
Interference
Double slit interference

(j) Double slit interference use of the equation
Interference
Young's double slits

(k) Path difference, phase difference and coherence
Coherent and incoherent sources
Phase changes
Interference

(l) Double slit interference conditions
Interference
Double slit interference

16-19/Wave properties/Interference/Problems/Interference 1
16-19/Wave properties/Interference/Problems/Interference 1

(m) Single slit diffraction
Single slit diffraction

(n) Diffraction grating
Diffraction grating

16-19/Wave properties/Diffraction/Problems/Diffraction 1
16-19/Wave properties/Diffraction/Problems/Diffraction 2

(o) Coherent and incoherent sources
Interference
Lasers
Coherent and incoherent sources

(p) Polarisation
Polarisation by reflection
Malus' Law

(q) Stationary waves
Standing (stationary) waves
Sound waves in tubes
Vibrating strings

(r) Stationary and progressive waves – differences
Standing (stationary) waves

(s) stationary waves and superposition
Standing (stationary) waves

Further text, problems and experiments will be added later