What quantities go on the axes of a displacement–distance graph for a wave?

Displacement in metres goes on the vertical axis and distance along the direction of travel in metres goes on the horizontal axis, for one instant in time.

A displacement–time graph shows successive peaks 0.040 s apart. State the period and the frequency.

The period is 0.040 s and the frequency is 1/0.040 = 25 Hz, and 25 oscillations per second gives one every 0.040 s as shown.

A displacement–distance graph shows crests 0.60 m apart and peak values of 4.0 cm. State the wavelength and the amplitude.

The wavelength is 0.60 m and the amplitude is 4.0 cm, which is 0.040 m.

CCEA A-Level Physics 1210

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Waves

Reading wave graphs

3 things to know
Unit AS 2

Overview

Recall questions on what goes on the axes of a displacement–time and a displacement–distance graph, which one gives the wavelength and which the period, obtaining the frequency and the wave speed from them, what the gradient of a displacement–time graph means for a single particle, and reading amplitude and phase from a snapshot.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What quantities go on the axes of a displacement–time graph for a wave?

Key term

Which type of wave graph allows the wavelength to be read directly?

Key term

Which type of wave graph allows the period to be read directly?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What quantities go on the axes of a displacement–time graph for a wave?
Model answer
Displacement of a single particle in metres goes on the vertical axis and time in seconds goes on the horizontal axis.
2
What quantities go on the axes of a displacement–distance graph for a wave?
Model answer
Displacement in metres goes on the vertical axis and distance along the direction of travel in metres goes on the horizontal axis, for one instant in time.
3
Which type of wave graph allows the wavelength to be read directly?
Model answer
The displacement–distance graph, because the horizontal separation of adjacent crests on it is one wavelength.
4
Which type of wave graph allows the period to be read directly?
Model answer
The displacement–time graph, because the horizontal separation of adjacent peaks on it is one period.
5
A displacement–time graph shows successive peaks 0.040 s apart. State the period and the frequency.
Model answer
The period is 0.040 s and the frequency is 1/0.040 = 25 Hz, and 25 oscillations per second gives one every 0.040 s as shown.
6
A displacement–distance graph shows crests 0.60 m apart and peak values of 4.0 cm. State the wavelength and the amplitude.
Model answer
The wavelength is 0.60 m and the amplitude is 4.0 cm, which is 0.040 m.

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