Measuring waves

Question 1

complete the sentence

the higher the frequency of a wave, the…

Answer 1

shorter the wavelength

causes the peaks to be closer together

Question 2

what is the equation for the speed of the waves?

Answer 2

c = distance travelled in one cycle / time taken for one cycle

= f λ

Question 3

What is the phase of a vibrating particle at a certain time?

Answer 3

fraction of a cycle it has completed since the start of the cycle

Question 4

What is the phase difference between two particles vibrating at the same frequency?

Answer 4

the fraction of a cycle between the vibration of the two particles, measured in degrees or radians

where 1 cycle = 360° = 2π radians

Question 5

What is the equation for the phase difference in radians?

Answer 5

2πd / λ

d = distance