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GCSE Physics wave equation questions

Connect wave speed, wavelength, frequency and period.

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Period and frequency

A wave has period 7 ms. Find its frequency. Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

Treat the given values as exact unless an uncertainty is stated.

Use decimals or e notation, e.g. 4.2e-3. Enter the unit separately.

Hint

Convert ms to s before using f = 1/T.

Worked solution
  1. T = 7 × 10-3 s.
  2. f = 1/(7 × 10-3) Hz.
  3. Answer: 143 Hz (3 significant figures).
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Question type: Mixed practice
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Foundation and Higher: this set covers content common to both tiers. Some calculations need several steps.

Cycles and wave speed

A wavelength is one complete spatial cycle. Frequency counts cycles per second; period is the time for one cycle. Use v = fλ and T = 1/f, converting milliseconds to seconds where needed. Keep the speed of the wave separate from the motion of particles in the medium. Phase, interference and string harmonics remain in the A-level section.

GCSE scope

AQA 8463: 4.6.1.2; OCR Gateway J249: P5.1a–d; PM5.1i. Tasks cover the selected skills listed above.

AQA specification · OCR Gateway specification

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