The Wave Equation (Edexcel International A Level Physics)

A travelling wave has a period of 1.0 μs and travels at a velocity of 100 cm s^–1. Calculate the wavelength of the wave. Give your answer in metres (m).

Answer:

Step 1: Write down the known quantities

• Period, T = 1.0 μs = 1.0 × 10^–6 s

• Velocity, c = 100 cm s^–1 = 1.0 m s^–1

Note the conversions:

• The period must be converted from microseconds (μs) into seconds (s)

• The velocity must be converted from cm s^–1 into m s^–1

Step 2: Write down the relationship between the frequency f and the period T 

f = 

Step 3: Substitute the value of the period into the above equation to calculate the frequency 

f = 

f = 1.0 × 10⁶ Hz

Step 4: Write down the wave equation

c = fλ

Step 5: Rearrange the wave equation to calculate the wavelength λ

λ = 

Step 6: Substitute the numbers into the above equation 

λ = 

λ = 1 × 10^–6 m

This is an important equation that comes up in many other topics. Get really familiar with using it and rearranging it. 

Be ready to use prefixes with values, for example, nanometres (nm = m × 10⁻⁹) or MHz (MHz = Hz × 10⁶).