Wavelength
Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
Wavelength is the distance between a point on one wave and an identical point on the next wave.
About Wavelength
- Wavelength is measured in metres.
 |
| The wavelength is the length of one wave including the peak and trough. |
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Wavelength is the distance between two identical points on adjacent waves.
About Wavelength
- Wavelength is a scalar quantity because it has magnitude only.
- The SI Unit of wavelength is the metre.
|
| The wavelength is the length of one wave including the peak and trough. |
Equation
NB: You should remember this equation with v as the subject of the formula. Wavelength = (Wave Speed)/(Frequency)
\(\lambda = \frac{v}{f}\)
Where
\(\lambda\) = The wavelength of the wave.
\(v\) = The wave speed of the wave.
\(f\) = The frequency of the wave.
Example Calculations
| A wave with frequency 700Hz travels at a speed of 340m/s. Calculate the wavelength of the wave correct to two significant figures. | A 630MHz radiowave travels at 300,000,000m/s in a vacuum. Calculate the wavelength of this radiowave correct to two significant figures. |
| 1. State the known quantities
f = 700Hz v = 340m/s |
1. State the known quantities
f = 630MHz = 630x106Hz v = 300,000,000m/s = 3x108m/s |
| 2. Substitute the numbers into the equation and solve.
\( \lambda = \frac{v}{f}\) \( \lambda = \frac{340}{700}\) \( \lambda = 0.48571m\) \( \lambda \approx 0.48m\) |
2. Substitute the numbers into the equation and solve.
\( \lambda = \frac{v}{f}\) \( \lambda = \frac{630 \times 10^6}{3 \times 10^8}\) \( \lambda = 2.1m\) |
References
AQA
- Wavelength, page 183, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA
- Wavelength, page 219, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Wavelength, page 73, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Wavelength, pages 189, 191, 194, 196, 200, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Physics, CGP, AQA
- Wavelength, pages 191-3, 200-1, 213, 237, 288-9, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Wavelength, pages 226, 228, 231, 233, 242, GCSE Physics; The Complete 9-1 Course for AQA, CGP, AQA
- Wavelength, pages 257, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 2, Hodder, AQA
- Wavelengths, pages 176, 190-191, 194, 205-206, GCSE Physics; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
Edexcel
- Wavelength, pages 164-166, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel
- Wavelength, pages 32, 34, 40, 61, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel
- Wavelength, pages 49, 94, GCSE Physics, Pearson Edexcel