New AQA Course - P1b Module Revision

Waves and Radiation

There are three parts to this unit:- radiation, electromagnetic spectrum and space. Make sure you're ready for your test with my pre-exam checklist.

Radiation

You need to know the structure of atoms - you might have done this already in chemistry. You need all the features of the three types of radiation e.g. what they can pass through, what they are made of; you also need to know the uses and dangers of each type of radiation. You should know about half-life and using radiation to date objects. Try this radiation jigword and quiz.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

You should know the spectrum in order, the meanings of wave speed, frequency, wavelength and amplitude (and the formula that links them), and the uses and dangers of each part of the spectrum. Make sure you know how different signals are used for normal, satellite and cable TV, and the advantages of digital signals over analogue ones.

  Andy Darvill's site has excellent activities and notes on the EM Spectrum.

  Southampton Uni site is good on analogue & digital signals, and on optical fibres.

  Try this EM spectrum jigword and quiz.

Space

You need to know what red-shift is and how it supports the big bang theory. You also need to understand that telescopes can be made to receive waves from any part of the spectrum and the pros and cons of putting telescopes in space.

Try this easy exercise to check you understand red shift etc.

A great video from YouTube explaining red-shift. Some basic information about the doppler effect and red shift. An interesting diagram showing which waves get to the earth's surface and which have to be observed from space. Also try this quiz.