AQA · Physics · 8463
GCSE Physics: Properties of waves
Waves · AQA GCSE Physics (8463), specification point 4.6.1.2. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Properties of waves", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.
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Define the amplitude of a wave.
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The maximum displacement of a point on the wave away from its undisturbed (rest) position.
Define the wavelength of a wave.
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The distance from a point on one wave to the equivalent point on the adjacent wave (e.g. crest to crest).
Define the frequency of a wave.
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The number of waves passing a point each second. Measured in hertz (Hz).
What is the equation linking the period and frequency of a wave?
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T = 1 / f (period in seconds, frequency in hertz).
The period of a wave, T, is measured in ?.
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seconds
The unit of frequency is the ?, symbol Hz.
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hertz
Define wave speed.
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The speed at which the energy is transferred (or the wave moves) through the medium.
What is the wave equation?
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wave speed = frequency × wavelength, i.e. v = f λ (v in m/s, f in Hz, λ in m).
What is the SI unit of wave speed?
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Metres per second (m/s).
What is the symbol for wavelength, and what is its unit?
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λ (lambda), measured in metres (m).
A wave has a period of 0.02 s. What is its frequency?
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50 Hz, because f = 1 / T = 1 / 0.02.
A wave has frequency 5 Hz and wavelength 2 m. What is its speed?
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10 m/s, because v = f λ = 5 × 2.
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