Year 9 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 5

Checkpoint 1 — Wave Basics

Foundation Worksheet

Name

Date

Class

Learning Goals

Recall key vocabulary from Lessons 1–4: wave types, wave properties, and the wave equation.
Sort wave facts into correct categories (mechanical, electromagnetic, properties, equation).
Demonstrate understanding of the differences between wave types.

Warm Up

Fill the gap

Choose the correct word from the word bank to complete the passage. Use each word once. Two words in the bank are not used.

wave mechanical electromagnetic transverse longitudinal frequency wavelength amplitude refraction

A is a disturbance that transfers energy without transferring matter. Sound is a wave because it needs a medium to travel. Light is an wave that can travel through a vacuum. In a wave, particles vibrate at right angles to the direction of travel. In a wave, particles vibrate back and forth in the same direction as travel. The number of complete waves passing a point each second is called the , measured in hertz. The distance from one crest to the next is the .

Your Turn

Sort it!

Write each item from the pool into the correct category box. Each item belongs in exactly one category.

Needs a medium Can travel through a vacuum Sound is an example Light is an example Seismic S-wave is an example Radio waves are an example Measured from crest to equilibrium Measured between two crests Number of waves per second v = f × λ Units of m/s Unit is hertz (Hz)

Mechanical Waves

Electromagnetic Waves

Wave Properties

Wave Equation

Show What You Know

1. State one similarity and one difference between transverse and longitudinal waves.

Recall 2 marks

2. A wave has a speed of 340 m/s and a wavelength of 0.5 m. Calculate its frequency. Show your working.

Recall 2 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?