What are the general properties of waves in the context of IB MYP Science?

In the IB MYP Science curriculum, the general properties of waves include wavelength, frequency, amplitude, speed, and period. Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs, frequency is the number of waves passing a point per second, amplitude is the height of the wave from its rest position, speed is how fast the wave travels through a medium, and period is the time it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass a point.

How do frequency and wavelength relate to the speed of a wave?

The speed of a wave is determined by the product of its frequency and wavelength, expressed by the formula: speed = frequency × wavelength. This relationship means that if the frequency increases while the wavelength decreases, the speed remains constant, assuming the wave travels through the same medium. This concept is crucial in understanding wave behavior in IB MYP Science.

What is the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?

Transverse waves are characterized by particle motion that is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, such as light waves. Longitudinal waves, like sound waves, have particle motion that is parallel to the direction of wave travel. Understanding these differences is essential in the IB MYP Science curriculum when studying the general properties of waves.

Why is amplitude important in understanding wave properties?

Amplitude is a key property of waves that indicates the energy carried by the wave. In the context of IB MYP Science, a larger amplitude means more energy. For example, in sound waves, a higher amplitude results in a louder sound. Understanding amplitude helps students grasp how waves interact with their environment and affect the energy they transmit.

How does the medium affect the speed of a wave?

The speed of a wave is influenced by the medium through which it travels. In general, waves travel faster in solids than in liquids, and faster in liquids than in gases. This is because particles in solids are more closely packed, allowing energy to transfer more efficiently. This concept is important in the IB MYP Science curriculum for understanding how different environments affect wave behavior.

Why is "Saying frequency changes when a wave is refracted." a common mistake in General Properties of Waves?

Why it happens: Both v and λ change at a boundary, so students assume f does too. How to avoid it: Frequency is set by the SOURCE and stays constant. Only v and λ change at a boundary.

Why is "Believing a wave carries matter from one place to another." a common mistake in General Properties of Waves?

Why it happens: Water waves at the seaside push things around, looking like the water moves with them. How to avoid it: Particles of the medium oscillate but don't move overall — a duck on the surface bobs up and down but stays in roughly the same place. Only ENERGY is transferred.

Why is "Confusing amplitude with wavelength on a diagram." a common mistake in General Properties of Waves?

Why it happens: Both look like distances on a wave drawing. How to avoid it: Amplitude is VERTICAL (rest line to peak). Wavelength is HORIZONTAL (peak-to-peak or trough-to-trough).

WavesIB MYP Sciences (Years 1-5)

General Properties of Waves

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General Properties of Waves — IB MYP Sciences: transverse vs longitudinal, wave equation, reflection and refraction

Waves carry energy without carrying matter. This MYP Sciences note covers the two wave types (transverse and longitudinal), the four wave quantities (frequency, period, wavelength, amplitude), the wave equation v = fλ, and what happens when waves reflect, refract and diffract.

What you’ll learn

Mapped to the IB MYP Sciences subject guide (2026 onwards).

MYP Sciences A — Define frequency, period, wavelength, amplitude and wave speed with units.
MYP Sciences A — Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves with examples.
MYP Sciences A — Use v = fλ to find any one quantity from the other two.
MYP Sciences C — Interpret a wave diagram to read off wavelength and amplitude.
MYP Sciences B — Plan an investigation to measure the speed of water-tank waves.

Transverse vs longitudinal waves

Vibration perpendicular to travel = transverse. Vibration parallel = longitudinal.

Two ways the particles in a medium can vibrate as a wave passes:

Transverse waves — particles move PERPENDICULAR to the direction of travel. Picture a horizontal rope being shaken up and down. The wave moves along the rope (horizontal), but each piece of rope moves up and down (perpendicular). Examples: ripples on water, waves on a rope or spring, light and all electromagnetic waves.

Longitudinal waves — particles move PARALLEL to the direction of travel. The wave is made of compressions (squashed regions) and rarefactions (stretched regions). Sound is the classic example: air molecules move back and forth in the same direction the sound is travelling.

Transverse: particles vibrate up-down while wave moves left-right. Longitudinal: particles bunch and stretch in the direction of travel.

Transverse: vibration ⊥ travel. Examples: water ripples, EM waves.
Longitudinal: vibration ∥ travel. Example: sound.
Both transfer energy without moving matter overall.

Wave quantities and the wave equation

Frequency, period, wavelength, amplitude — and v = fλ links them.

Four key wave quantities:

Quantity	Symbol	Unit	Meaning
Frequency	f	Hz	Waves passing a point per second
Period	T	s	Time for one full wave
Wavelength	λ	m	Distance between identical points (e.g. peak-to-peak)
Amplitude	A	m	Maximum displacement from rest position

Frequency and period are reciprocals: $T = 1/f$ and $f = 1/T$ .

The wave equation links speed, frequency and wavelength:

$v = f \, \lambda$

with v in m/s, f in Hz, λ in m.

Worked example. A water wave has frequency 0.50 Hz and wavelength 2.4 m. Its speed is v = fλ = 0.50 × 2.4 = 1.2 m/s.

f (Hz), T (s), λ (m), A (m).
T = 1/f.
v = f × λ.

Reflection, refraction and diffraction

Waves bounce off, bend through, and spread around — all without changing their nature.

When a wave hits something it doesn't always stop. Three common behaviours:

Reflection — the wave bounces off a barrier. The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection (both measured from the normal). Mirrors reflect light; canyon walls reflect sound to give echoes.

Refraction — the wave bends because its speed changes (e.g. light enters glass and slows down; sound speeds up moving from cold to warm air). The wavelength changes; the frequency does NOT. Bend direction depends on whether the wave speeds up or slows down at the boundary.

Diffraction — the wave spreads out when it passes through a gap or around an edge. Diffraction is most pronounced when the gap size is comparable to the wavelength. A narrow gap diffracts strongly; a wide gap barely diffracts.

These behaviours happen for all kinds of wave (water, sound, light) — they are general properties of waves.

Reflection: angle in = angle out (from the normal).
Refraction: speed changes → wavelength changes; bends direction.
Diffraction: spreading at a gap or edge; bigger when gap ≈ wavelength.

How it’s examined

Criterion A tests definitions, units and direct use of v = fλ. Criterion C presents wave diagrams or refraction setups and asks for measured wavelength or predicted behaviour at a boundary.

Sources: IB MYP Sciences guide (IBO, official subject guide). Last reviewed 2026-05-25.

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Step-by-step worked examples — General Properties of Waves

Step-by-step solutions to past-paper-style questions on general properties of waves, written exactly the way a tutor would explain them at the board.

1Using v = fλ
Getting started• wave equation
Question
A wave has frequency 250 Hz and wavelength 1.4 m. Calculate its speed.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Use v = f × λ.
  $v = 250 × 1.4$
2. Step 2
  v = 350 m/s.
Answer
350 m/s.
2Finding wavelength
Getting started• wave equation
Question
Sound travels at 340 m/s in air. A whistle produces a sound of frequency 1 700 Hz. Find its wavelength.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Rearrange v = fλ → λ = v/f.
  $λ = 340 / 1 700$
2. Step 2
  λ = 0.20 m = 20 cm.
Answer
0.20 m.
3From frequency to period
Building confidence• period
Question
A pendulum has frequency 0.40 Hz. Find its period.
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  T = 1/f = 1/0.40.
2. Step 2
  T = 2.5 s.
Answer
2.5 s.
4Refraction at a boundary
Stretch• refraction
Question
A water wave crosses from deep water into shallow water and slows down. What happens to its frequency, wavelength and direction?
Step-by-step solution
1. Step 1
  Frequency stays the same — it is set by the source.
2. Step 2
  From v = fλ, if v decreases and f is constant then λ decreases too.
3. Step 3
  When a wave slows down at a boundary it bends TOWARDS the normal.
Answer
Frequency unchanged; wavelength decreases; wave bends toward the normal.

Key Formulae — General Properties of Waves

The formulae you need to memorise for general properties of waves on the IB MYP Sciences paper, with every variable defined in plain English and a note on when to use it.

Wave equation
$v = f × λ$
$v$
wave speed (m/s)
$f$
frequency (Hz)
$λ$
wavelength (m)
When to use
Anywhere a wave has measurable frequency and wavelength.
Period and frequency
$T = 1 / f$
$T$
period (s)
$f$
frequency (Hz)
When to use
Convert between frequency and period.

Key Definitions and Keywords — General Properties of Waves

Definitions to memorise and the exact keywords mark schemes credit for general properties of waves answers — sharpened from recent examiner reports for the 2026 IB MYP Sciences sitting.

Wave
Examiner keyword
A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter overall.
Transverse wave
Examiner keyword
A wave where the vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy travel. Examples: water surface waves, all EM waves.
Longitudinal wave
Examiner keyword
A wave where the vibrations are parallel to the direction of travel; consists of compressions and rarefactions. Example: sound.
Frequency (f)
Examiner keyword
Number of complete waves passing a point per second. Unit: hertz (Hz) = s⁻¹.
Wavelength (λ)
Examiner keyword
The distance between two consecutive identical points on a wave (e.g. peak-to-peak). Unit: metre (m).
Amplitude
The maximum displacement of a particle from its rest position. Larger amplitude = more energy.
Refraction
Examiner keyword
The bending of a wave when it crosses a boundary and changes speed.
Diffraction
Examiner keyword
The spreading of a wave as it passes through a gap or around an edge.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions — General Properties of Waves

The traps other students keep falling into on general properties of waves questions — taken from recent IB MYP Sciences examiner reports and mark schemes — and how to avoid them.

✕Saying frequency changes when a wave is refracted.
Why it happens
Both v and λ change at a boundary, so students assume f does too.
How to avoid it
Frequency is set by the SOURCE and stays constant. Only v and λ change at a boundary.
✕Believing a wave carries matter from one place to another.
Why it happens
Water waves at the seaside push things around, looking like the water moves with them.
How to avoid it
Particles of the medium oscillate but don't move overall — a duck on the surface bobs up and down but stays in roughly the same place. Only ENERGY is transferred.
✕Confusing amplitude with wavelength on a diagram.
Why it happens
Both look like distances on a wave drawing.
How to avoid it
Amplitude is VERTICAL (rest line to peak). Wavelength is HORIZONTAL (peak-to-peak or trough-to-trough).

Practice questions

Exam-style questions with step-by-step worked solutions. Try one before checking the method.

Past paper style quiz

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General Properties of Waves — frequently asked questions

The things students keep getting wrong in this sub-topic, answered.

Quantity

Symbol

Unit

Meaning

Frequency

Waves passing a point per second

Period

Time for one full wave

Wavelength

Distance between identical points (e.g. peak-to-peak)

Amplitude

Maximum displacement from rest position

When a wave hits something it doesn't always stop. Three common behaviours:

These behaviours happen for all kinds of wave (water, sound, light) — they are general properties of waves.

General Properties of Waves

Short Study Notes in the form of Slides

Short Study Notes — General Properties of Waves

Detailed Notes

What you’ll learn

How it’s examined

1Using v = fλ

2Finding wavelength

3From frequency to period

4Refraction at a boundary

Wave equation

Period and frequency

Wave

Transverse wave

Longitudinal wave

Frequency (f)

Wavelength (λ)

Amplitude

Refraction

Diffraction

✕Saying frequency changes when a wave is refracted.

✕Believing a wave carries matter from one place to another.

✕Confusing amplitude with wavelength on a diagram.

Practice questions

Past paper style quiz

Assess your understanding

General Properties of Waves — frequently asked questions

General Properties of Waves

Short Study Notes in the form of Slides

Short Study Notes — General Properties of Waves

Detailed Notes

What you’ll learn

How it’s examined

1Using v = fλ

2Finding wavelength

3From frequency to period

4Refraction at a boundary

Wave equation

Period and frequency

Wave

Transverse wave

Longitudinal wave

Frequency (f)

Wavelength (λ)

Amplitude

Refraction

Diffraction

✕Saying frequency changes when a wave is refracted.

✕Believing a wave carries matter from one place to another.

✕Confusing amplitude with wavelength on a diagram.

Practice questions

Past paper style quiz

Assess your understanding

General Properties of Waves — frequently asked questions