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Wave properties for AQA GCSE Physics
This page covers the following topics:
1. Wave amplitude
2. Wavelength
3. Wave frequency
4. Wave period
5. Wave speed
A waveโs amplitude is a measure of its maximum height from its rest position.
The wavelength (ฮป) of a wave can be shown in a diagram or it can be calculated using the formula: Wavelength = wave speed รท frequency.
The frequency of a wave is the number of waves that pass a certain point per second. It can be calculated using the waves time period, or speed and wavelength.
The time period of a wave is the time it takes a full wave cycle to pass a certain point. It is often calculated using the equation: Time Period = 1 รท frequency.
Wave speed is the distance travelled by a wave divided by the time it takes. The wave equation can be used to work out the speed of a wave.
1
Using the diagram, calculate the speed of the wave shown if it has a wavelength of 25 m.
Speed = Wavelength รท Time Period. V = ฮป รท T, V = 25 รท 10 = 2.5 m/s.
2
The vertical displacement of a point on a wave doubles when the amount of energy in the wave doubles. What is the effect on the amplitude of the wave?
It doubles.
3
What is the definition of wavelength?
The wavelength is the distance covered by a full cycle of a wave, this is usually measured as the distance between two peaks or two troughs.
4
In the diagram each line represents the peak of a wave, what is the wavelength of the waves shown?
4 cm
5
Define wave speed.
The speed of a wave is the amount of distance a wave has travelled in a given time interval.
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