Who this is for: Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science (0654) students who want general wave properties — amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period and wave speed — to become a reliable source of marks in calculation and describe questions.
What query it owns: how to understand and revise general wave properties in Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science.
Why this is safe: this page owns the general wave properties revision-guide angle, while Tutopiya’s General Wave Properties subtopic page owns the learning resource and the free General Wave Properties quiz owns the practice.

Waves transfer energy without transferring matter. Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science (0654) expects you to define amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period, use v = fλ, and distinguish transverse from longitudinal waves. The wave equation links speed, frequency and wavelength — it applies to all waves, including light and sound. This guide connects wave terminology to the define, calculate and describe questions examiners set.

Key takeaways

• Wave: a disturbance that transfers energy without transferring matter.
• Amplitude: maximum displacement from equilibrium (related to loudness/brightness).
• Wavelength (λ): distance between two consecutive identical points (e.g. crest to crest).
• Frequency (f): number of waves per second; unit: hertz (Hz).
• Wave equation: v = fλ (speed = frequency × wavelength).

What are general wave properties in Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science?

All waves share common properties regardless of type. Amplitude measures how far particles move from their rest position — larger amplitude means more energy. Wavelength is the distance for one complete wave cycle. Frequency counts how many complete waves pass a point each second. The wave speed equation v = fλ connects all three. Transverse waves (light, water) have oscillations perpendicular to direction of travel; longitudinal waves (sound) have oscillations parallel to direction of travel.

Read the wave diagrams and notes on Tutopiya’s General Wave Properties subtopic page before attempting past-paper questions.

Key wave quantities and units

Quantity	Symbol	Unit	Definition
Amplitude	A	m	Maximum displacement from rest position
Wavelength	λ	m	Distance for one complete wave cycle
Frequency	f	Hz (s⁻¹)	Number of waves per second
Period	T	s	Time for one complete wave; T = 1/f
Wave speed	v	m/s	Speed at which the wave travels

Transverse vs longitudinal waves

Feature	Transverse	Longitudinal
Oscillation direction	Perpendicular to wave direction	Parallel to wave direction
Examples	Light, water, EM waves	Sound, seismic P-waves
Structure	Crests and troughs	Compressions and rarefactions
Can travel in vacuum?	Yes (light/EM)	No (needs a medium)

General wave properties in past-paper wording: command words that matter

Command word / phrase	What the question wants	Typical wave stem
Define	State meaning + unit	”Define wavelength.”
Calculate	Use v = fλ	”Calculate the speed of a wave with frequency 50 Hz and wavelength 0.4 m.”
Describe	Label a wave diagram	”Describe the difference between a crest and a trough.”
State	Name the equation	”State the wave equation.”

Worked exam-style stems (how to answer the wording)

1. “A wave has frequency 200 Hz and wavelength 1.5 m. Calculate its speed.” v = fλ = 200 × 1.5 = 300 m/s. Reward: correct substitution, unit m/s.
2. “Define frequency and state its unit.” Frequency is the number of complete waves passing a point per second; unit is the hertz (Hz). Reward: waves per second + hertz.
3. “Describe one difference between transverse and longitudinal waves.” In transverse waves, particle oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer; in longitudinal waves, oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer. Reward: perpendicular vs parallel + direction reference.

Test yourself with the General Wave Properties quiz once you can define wave quantities and use v = fλ.

How wave properties connect to the rest of Coordinated Science

General wave properties underpin Light (reflection, refraction) and the Electromagnetic Spectrum. The Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science resource hub links every Properties Of Waves subtopic.

Common mistakes students make

• Measuring wavelength from crest to trough (should be crest to crest — one full cycle).
• Confusing frequency (waves per second) with period (seconds per wave).
• Forgetting that v = fλ applies to all waves, not just sound.
• Saying sound is a transverse wave (sound is longitudinal).
• Using cm for wavelength without converting to m in v = fλ calculations.

When you need more support

If wave property questions keep costing marks, work through the General Wave Properties quiz, then get focused help from a Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science tutor.

Frequently asked questions

What is the wave equation? v = fλ — wave speed equals frequency multiplied by wavelength.

What is the difference between frequency and period? Frequency is waves per second (Hz); period is seconds per wave; T = 1/f.

Are light waves transverse or longitudinal? Transverse — oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of travel.

How do I revise wave properties effectively? Learn definitions, practise v = fλ calculations, then take the General Wave Properties quiz.

Ready to master Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science wave properties?

Start with the General Wave Properties subtopic page, then book a free trial with a Cambridge IGCSE Coordinated Science specialist to turn wave knowledge into guaranteed marks.

Ready to Excel in Your Studies?

Get personalised help from Tutopiya's expert tutors. Whether it's IGCSE, IB, A-Levels, or any other curriculum — we match you with the perfect tutor and your first session is free.

Book Your Free Trial