Physics HL
Physics HL
5
Chapters
329
Notes
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme D - Fields
Theme D - Fields
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
IB Resources
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Physics HL
Physics HL

Theme C - Wave Behaviour

Mastering Wave Equations: From Basics to Advanced Calculations

Word Count Emoji
604 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Wave fundamentals 🌊

A wave is an energy transfer through a medium without the medium itself moving very far from its equilibrium position. For instance, think about a wave in the ocean; it moves forward even though the water particles stay in place.

Wave equation 🔍

The speed of a wave (v) is determined by its wavelength (λ) and period (T). The formula for wave speed is given by

v = \(\frac λT\)

But, we know that the frequency of a wave (f) is the inverse of its period

f = \(\frac 1T\)

So, we can also write the wave equation as

v = fλ

Worked examples ✏️

Example 1: String wave

 

If you're moving a stretched string up and down at a regular interval, you create a wave. For example, if the wavelength is 1.1m and you move it every 0.60s (period), you can calculate the wave's speed

 

v = \(\frac λT\) ​= 0.601.1 ​= 1.8ms−1

 

Example 2: Lake wave

 

Imagine you're observing a wave on a lake. You notice the wave has moved 0.60m in 0.25s and has a wavelength of 2.8m. You can calculate its speed

 

v = \(\frac {0.60}{0.25}\) ​= 2.4ms−1

 

And its period

 

T = \(\frac λv\) ​= \(\frac {2.8}{2.4}\)​ = 1.2s

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IB Resources
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Physics HL
Physics HL

Theme C - Wave Behaviour

Mastering Wave Equations: From Basics to Advanced Calculations

Word Count Emoji
604 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Wave fundamentals 🌊

A wave is an energy transfer through a medium without the medium itself moving very far from its equilibrium position. For instance, think about a wave in the ocean; it moves forward even though the water particles stay in place.

Wave equation 🔍

The speed of a wave (v) is determined by its wavelength (λ) and period (T). The formula for wave speed is given by

v = \(\frac λT\)

But, we know that the frequency of a wave (f) is the inverse of its period

f = \(\frac 1T\)

So, we can also write the wave equation as

v = fλ

Worked examples ✏️

Example 1: String wave

 

If you're moving a stretched string up and down at a regular interval, you create a wave. For example, if the wavelength is 1.1m and you move it every 0.60s (period), you can calculate the wave's speed

 

v = \(\frac λT\) ​= 0.601.1 ​= 1.8ms−1

 

Example 2: Lake wave

 

Imagine you're observing a wave on a lake. You notice the wave has moved 0.60m in 0.25s and has a wavelength of 2.8m. You can calculate its speed

 

v = \(\frac {0.60}{0.25}\) ​= 2.4ms−1

 

And its period

 

T = \(\frac λv\) ​= \(\frac {2.8}{2.4}\)​ = 1.2s

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟

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