Starter quiz
- What is the name for the number of vibrations a wave makes in a second?
- frequency ✓
- wavelength
- amplitude
- period
-
- What are the units for wave speed?
- m/s ✓
- ms
- s/m
- m
- s
-
- Which of these units cannot be used as a measure of wavelength?
- Hz ✓
- cm
- m
- km
-
- What is an equivalent frequency of 330 000 Hz?
- 330 kHz ✓
- 33 kHz
- 330 mHz
- 33 mHz
-
- A transverse wave and a longitudinal wave have the same speed. Which statement about the waves is correct?
- If the frequency of each wave is the same, the wavelength will be the same. ✓
- The frequency of each wave is equal to the wavelength.
- The transverse wave has a lower frequency than the longitudinal wave.
- The transverse wave has a higher frequency than the longitudinal wave.
-
- Put these prefixes in order starting with the smallest.
- 1⇔micro
- 2⇔milli
- 3⇔centi
- 4⇔kilo
Exit quiz
- Which of these can cause the speed of a wave to change?
- Increasing the wavelength.
- Decreasing the frequency.
- Moving from one medium to another. ✓
- Increasing the amplitude.
- Decreasing the amplitude.
-
- A wave has a wavelength of 1.5 m and a frequency of 5.0 Hz. What is its speed?
- 6.5 m/s
- 7.5 m/s ✓
- 3.5 m/s
- 3.3 m/s
- 5.0 m/s
-
A wave in a rope has a wavelength of 0.3 m, and it travels with a wave speed of 1.5 m/s. Calculate the frequency of the wave.- 0.45 Hz
- 0.5 Hz
- 5.0 Hz ✓
- 45 Hz
- 50 Hz
-
A sound wave with a frequency of 150 Hz travels at 330 m/s in air. Calculate the wavelength of the wave.- 0.45 m
- 180 m
- 2.2 cm
- 49.5 m
- 2.2 m ✓
-
- Starting with the longest, put the waves in order of decreasing wavelength.
- 1⇔λ = 0.40 km
- 2⇔λ = 40 m
- 3⇔λ = 0.40 m
- 4⇔λ = 4.0 mm
- 5⇔λ = 40 μm
- 6⇔λ = 400 nm
- A wave has a wavelength of 60 mm and it travels with a wave speed of 3.0 km/s. Calculate the frequency of the wave.
- 50 mHz
- 50 Hz
- 50 kHz ✓
- 50 MHz
- 50 GHz
-
Worksheet
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Presentation
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Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The speed of wave can be caluated using wave speed = frequency × wavelength.
- The speed of a wave can be caluated using wave speed = distance ÷ time.
- The choice of equation to use to caluate wave speed depends on the information provided in the question.
- Prefixes can be used with units to show very large or very small values.
- The frequency of a wave does not change as it crosses a boundary from one wave medium into another.
Common misconception
In, v = f × λ, speed is dependent on frequency and wavelength, rather then the medium.
Focus on speed being property of a medium and equation not being as an equation with three interdependent variables.
Keywords
Wave equation - wave speed = frequency × wavelength (v = f × λ)
Wave speed - The speed of a wave through a medium. Given by the wave equation: wave speed = frequency × wavelength (v = f × λ)
Frequency - The number of waves produced each second. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz)
Wavelength - The distance between one wave crest (or trough) and the next is the wavelength of the wave.
Prefix - A prefix is added to units to represent large or small values , for example 1 km = 1000 m and 1 mm = 0.001 m
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