6.6 Waves

Unit Summary

Mapped against the AQA GCSE Trilogy Science specification, this unit on Introduction to Waves is designed to consolidate and extend students’ understanding of how energy is transferred through waves. Building on prior learning from Key Stage 3 — particularly in topics such as sound, light, and energy transfer — this unit introduces both transverse and longitudinal waves, wave behaviour, and key calculations involving wave speed, frequency, and wavelength.

The unit is sequenced to develop learning progressively, with each lesson reinforcing and building on previous knowledge. While schools can adapt the order to suit their curriculum design, this unit assumes a cumulative approach where foundational concepts like oscillation and wave behaviour are established before moving on to more complex applications and graphical interpretations.

Both substantive knowledge (e.g. properties of waves, types of waves, and wave interactions) and disciplinary knowledge (e.g. methods of measuring and evaluating data) are embedded throughout. A key feature of this unit is the required practical using a ripple tank to investigate the relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength in water. This practical enables students to apply theoretical models to real-world scenarios, strengthening their grasp of the connection between mathematical relationships and physical wave behaviour.

At Developing Experts, we are committed to helping schools deliver the National Curriculum while broadening students’ scientific curiosity and career aspirations. By linking classroom learning to real-world technologies and future-focused careers, this unit encourages students to see how the science of waves underpins advancements in sound engineering, ultrasound imaging, marine exploration, telecommunications, and acoustics. By linking key physics content to real-world applications, this unit encourages students to explore how foundational scientific knowledge connects to STEM careers, helping them to see the subject not just as a topic to learn, but as a gateway to future opportunities.