Difference between revisions of "Period"
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: A [[period]] is a [[scalar]] quantity because it has [[magnitude]] but no direction. | : A [[period]] is a [[scalar]] quantity because it has [[magnitude]] but no direction. | ||
: The [[SI Unit]] of a [[period]] is [[second]]s. | : The [[SI Unit]] of a [[period]] is [[second]]s. | ||
− | : [[Period]] may refer to the time taken for an [[oscillating]] [[object]] such as a | + | : [[Period]] may refer to the time taken for an [[oscillating]] [[object]] such as a pendulum or [[mass]] on a [[Coil Spring|spring]] to make one full [[oscillation]]. |
: [[Period]] may refer to the [[time]] taken for one [[wave]] to pass a point. | : [[Period]] may refer to the [[time]] taken for one [[wave]] to pass a point. | ||
Revision as of 19:53, 7 April 2019
Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
A period is the time taken for one complete wave to pass a point.
About Periods
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A period is the time taken for a single oscillation to occur.
About Periods
- A period is a scalar quantity because it has magnitude but no direction.
- The SI Unit of a period is seconds.
- Period may refer to the time taken for an oscillating object such as a pendulum or mass on a spring to make one full oscillation.
- Period may refer to the time taken for one wave to pass a point.
Equation
NB: You do not need to remember this equation but you should be able to find the period of a wave using the frequency.
Period = 1/(Frequency)
\(T = \frac{1}{f}\)
Where:
f = Frequency
T = time period (the time it takes for one wave to pass a point).
Example Calculations
A wave has a frequency of 0.2Hz. Calculate how long it takes for one wave to pass a point. | The E-string on a bass guitar is plucked to produce a sound with a frequency of 41.25Hz. Calculate the time it takes for the E-string to make one full oscillation. |
1. State the known quantities
f = 0.2Hz |
1. State the known quantities
f = 41.25Hz |
2. Substitute the numbers into the equation and solve.
\(T = \frac{1}{0.2}\) \(T = 5s\) |
2. Substitute the numbers into the equation and solve.
\(T = \frac{1}{40}\) \(T = 0.024s\) |