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The Waves topic is an important part of GCSE Physics, helping you understand how energy is transferred through vibrations in matter and space. This page includes all my free GCSE Waves video lessons, practice questions, and answers to help you build confidence in this area of the course.
You’ll find lessons covering transverse and longitudinal waves, wave properties, reflection, refraction, diffraction, sound waves, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Each video and worksheet is fully aligned with the AQA, OCR, and Edexcel GCSE and IGCSE Physics specifications, making them ideal for revision, teaching, or independent learning.
You can also explore related topics such as Energy to see how wave behaviour links to the transfer of energy in different forms.
Watch my free GCSE Physics Waves video lessons below. Each video breaks down key ideas step-by-step, using animations, graphs, and exam-style examples to help you visualise and understand wave behaviour.
Topics include:
Transverse and longitudinal waves
Amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and wave speed
Reflection, refraction, and diffraction
Sound waves and ultrasound
The electromagnetic spectrum
Test your knowledge with my GCSE Waves practice questions, designed for AQA, OCR, and Edexcel GCSE Physics students. These questions cover both the maths and the concepts of wave physics — from calculating wave speed and frequency to interpreting wavefront diagrams and graphs.
Each set of questions is designed to build exam confidence and help you apply what you’ve learned from the videos.
Check your answers here. Each question includes a fully worked solution with clear reasoning and calculations. You’ll see how to use the wave equation, explain reflection and refraction, and describe the behaviour of electromagnetic waves using correct scientific language.
These worked answers help you understand how to structure your exam responses and earn full marks in GCSE Physics questions about waves.
What is meant by the terms wavelength, frequency, period, amplitude, longitudinal and transverse? I also look at the wave speed equation.
Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum but did you know that there are lots of other waves, like light, that you can't see?
More videos and questions on waves and the electromagnetic spectrum.
© Copyright, Plato Education 2025