Who this is for: Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) students who want general properties of waves — amplitude, wavelength, frequency and v = fλ — to become reliable marks instead of formulas detached from wave motion.
What query it owns: how to understand and revise general properties of waves in Cambridge IGCSE Physics.
Why this is safe: this page owns the general properties of waves revision-guide angle, while Tutopiya’s General Properties of Waves subtopic page owns the learning resource and the free quiz owns the practice.

General properties of waves underpin every Waves question in Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625). Examiners expect you to read wave diagrams, distinguish transverse from longitudinal waves, and apply v = fλ with correct units. This guide covers the syllabus content, reflection and refraction basics, and the question types that appear every year.

Key takeaways

• Wave speed v = fλ (speed = frequency × wavelength); units: m/s, Hz, m.
• Amplitude is maximum displacement from the rest position; wavelength λ is distance between two consecutive identical points.
• Transverse waves: vibrations perpendicular to direction of travel (e.g. light, water ripples).
• Longitudinal waves: vibrations parallel to direction of travel (e.g. sound); compressions and rarefactions.
• Period T = 1/f; frequency is the number of waves per second (Hz).

What are general properties of waves in Cambridge IGCSE Physics?

A wave transfers energy without transferring matter. The general properties describe how the wave moves: amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period and speed. In Cambridge IGCSE Physics (0625) you must also describe reflection (angle of incidence = angle of reflection), refraction (change of speed and direction at a boundary) and diffraction (spreading through a gap or past an edge).

You can read the full explanation, worked examples and notes on Tutopiya’s General Properties of Waves subtopic page before you attempt questions.

The core ideas you must master

Idea	What it means	How the exam uses it
v = fλ	Speed equals frequency times wavelength	”Calculate the wavelength of a wave of frequency 50 Hz travelling at 340 m/s.”
Amplitude	Maximum displacement from rest	”State what is meant by amplitude.”
Transverse vs longitudinal	Direction of vibration relative to travel	”State one example of each type.”
Reflection	Wave bounces; i = r	”Draw the reflected ray.”
Refraction	Speed change at boundary; direction change	”Explain why the wave changes direction.”

How to use v = fλ — step by step

1. Read the diagram — identify one full wavelength and the rest position.
2. List known values with units (v in m/s, f in Hz, λ in m).
3. Write v = fλ and rearrange if needed (λ = v/f or f = v/λ).
4. Substitute and calculate; check units in the final answer.
5. Sanity-check — higher frequency at fixed speed means shorter wavelength.

Once you have worked through a few, test yourself with the free General Properties of Waves quiz.

Transverse vs longitudinal: which type is the question about?

Feature	Transverse	Longitudinal
Vibration direction	Perpendicular to travel	Parallel to travel
Examples	Light, radio waves, water ripples	Sound, ultrasound, seismic P-waves
Diagram features	Crests and troughs	Compressions and rarefactions
Can travel in vacuum?	Yes (EM waves)	No — needs a medium

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

Command word / phrase	What the question wants	Typical waves stem
Define	Precise syllabus definition	”Define frequency.”
Describe	Features or motion	”Describe the motion of particles in a longitudinal wave.”
Calculate	Show formula and working	”Calculate the speed of the wave.”
Sketch	Draw a labelled diagram	”Sketch one wavelength of a transverse wave.”
Explain	Cause and effect	”Explain why sound cannot travel in a vacuum.”

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

1. “A wave has frequency 200 Hz and wavelength 1.7 m. Calculate the wave speed.” v = fλ = 200 × 1.7 = 340 m/s. Mark-scheme reward: formula stated, correct substitution.
2. “Describe the difference between a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave.” Transverse: vibrations perpendicular to direction of energy transfer. Longitudinal: vibrations parallel to direction of transfer, with compressions and rarefactions. Reward: both direction and example or diagram feature.
3. “State what happens to the wavelength of a wave when it passes from deep water to shallow water.” Speed decreases in shallow water; at constant frequency, wavelength decreases (v = fλ). Reward: link speed change to wavelength.

When you can recognise the wording instantly, work the full set on the Waves topical past paper questions and the General Properties of Waves quiz to lock the definitions in.

How general properties of waves connect to the rest of the syllabus

Wave properties feed directly into Light, Electromagnetic Spectrum and Sound. Refraction and reflection reappear in ray diagrams for light. The Cambridge IGCSE Physics resource hub links every Waves subtopic.

Common mistakes students make

• Confusing amplitude with wavelength on diagrams.
• Using cm for wavelength without converting when speed is in m/s.
• Describing sound as a transverse wave (it is longitudinal).
• Forgetting that wave speed depends on the medium, not the source.
• Applying v = fλ without checking that frequency stays constant across a boundary.

When you need more support

If wave equation questions keep costing marks — especially diagram reading under time pressure — work through the Waves topical past paper questions and the General Properties of Waves quiz, then get focused help from a Cambridge IGCSE Physics tutor.

Frequently asked questions

Is the wave equation hard in Cambridge IGCSE Physics? No — v = fλ is straightforward. Marks are lost when students misread diagrams or confuse frequency with amplitude.

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

Can all waves travel through a vacuum? Only electromagnetic waves (e.g. light, radio). Sound and other mechanical waves need a medium.

How do I revise general properties of waves effectively? Label diagrams on every question, practise v = fλ rearrangements, then take the General Properties of Waves quiz.

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