Waves (AS91170) is a 4-credit external. It splits into two halves that share the same underlying ideas:
- Waves — how any wave behaves at a boundary or an obstacle: reflection, refraction, superposition, diffraction and interference.
- Light — the same physics applied to light rays: refraction, total internal reflection, lenses and curved mirrors.
Two things to know before you start:
- You are not tested on sound or standing waves in this standard — a common mix-up. AS91170 is wave behaviour and light.
- Every formula is on the resource sheet. The marks are for choosing the right relationship, substituting correctly, and explaining the physics in words.
Bring an approved calculator, a ruler and a protractor — ray diagrams and wavefront diagrams must be drawn accurately.