Difference between revisions of "Wavelength"
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| style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |The [[wavelength]] is the length of one [[wave]] including the peak and trough. | | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |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]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | {| class="wikitable" | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |[[File:Wavelength.png|center|400px]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="height:20px; width:200px; text-align:center;" |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) | ||
+ | |||
+ | <math> \lambda = \frac{v}{f}</math> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Where: | ||
+ | |||
+ | <math> \lambda</math> = The [[wavelength]] of the [[wave]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | <math>v</math> = The [[Wave Speed|wave speed]] of the [[wave]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | <math>f</math> = The [[frequency]] of the [[wave]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Example Calculations=== | ||
+ | {| class="wikitable" | ||
+ | | style="height:20px; width: 300px; text-align:center;" |A [[wave]] with [[frequency]] 700Hz travels at a [[speed]] of 340m/s. Calculate the [[wavelength]] of the [[wave]] correct to two [[Significant Figures|significant figures]]. | ||
+ | | style="height:20px; width: 300px; text-align:center;" |A 630MHz [[radiowave]] travels at 300,000,000m/s in a [[vacuum]]. Calculate the [[wavelength]] of this [[radiowave]] correct to two [[Significant Figures|significant figures]]. | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="height:20px; width: 300px; text-align:left;" |'''1. State the known quantities''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | f = 700Hz | ||
+ | |||
+ | v = 340m/s | ||
+ | | style="height:20px; width: 300px; text-align:left;" |'''1. State the known quantities''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | f = 630MHz = 630x10<sup>6</sup>Hz | ||
+ | |||
+ | v = 300,000,000m/s = 3x10<sup>8</sup>m/s | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | style="height:20px; width: 300px; text-align:left;" |'''2. [[Substitute (Maths)|Substitute]] the numbers into the [[equation]] and [[Solve (Maths)|solve]].''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | <math> \lambda = \frac{v}{f}</math> | ||
+ | |||
+ | <math> \lambda = \frac{340}{700}</math> | ||
+ | |||
+ | <math> \lambda = 0.48571m</math> | ||
+ | |||
+ | <math> \lambda \approx 0.48m</math> | ||
+ | |||
+ | | style="height:20px; width: 300px; text-align:left;" |'''2. [[Substitute (Maths)|Substitute]] the numbers into the [[equation]] and [[Solve (Maths)|solve]].''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | <math> \lambda = \frac{v}{f}</math> | ||
+ | |||
+ | <math> \lambda = \frac{630 \times 10^6}{3 \times 10^8}</math> | ||
+ | |||
+ | <math> \lambda = 2.1m</math> | ||
|} | |} |
Revision as of 13:42, 18 February 2019
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.
\( \lambda = \frac{v}{f}\) \( \lambda = \frac{630 \times 10^6}{3 \times 10^8}\) \( \lambda = 2.1m\) |