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Waves in Matter

Amplitude, wavelength, frequency and period

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 6 (Physics)

Overview

Amplitude, period, wavelength and frequency and their units, the link between period and frequency with calculations, how amplitude relates to energy, how a point in a material moves as a wave passes, and measuring the wavelength of a longitudinal wave.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is meant by the amplitude of a wave?

Key term

What is meant by the period of a wave?

Key term

How is the period of a wave related to its frequency?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is meant by the amplitude of a wave?

    Model answer

    The maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its undisturbed rest position.

  2. 2

    What is meant by the period of a wave?

    Model answer

    The time taken for one complete wave to pass a fixed point.

  3. 3

    How is the period of a wave related to its frequency?

    Model answer

    The period is one divided by the frequency, so the two are reciprocals of each other.

  4. 4

    A wave completes one full oscillation every 0.02 s. What is its frequency?

    Model answer

    Its frequency is 50 Hz, because 1 ÷ 0.02 = 50.

  5. 5

    A wave has a frequency of 200 Hz. What is its period?

    Model answer

    Its period is 0.005 s, because 1 ÷ 200 = 0.005.

  6. 6

    How does the amplitude of a wave relate to the energy it transfers?

    Model answer

    A wave of larger amplitude transfers more energy.

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