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Here is a graph of a sound wave - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2012 - Paper 1
Question 3
Here is a graph of a sound wave. (i) Calculate the wavelength of this sound wave. (ii) A second sound wave has a longer wavelength but a smaller amplitude.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Here is a graph of a sound wave - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 3 - 2012 - Paper 1
Step 1
Calculate the wavelength of this sound wave.
Answer
To determine the wavelength of the sound wave, we can analyze the graph. The wavelength is defined as the distance between two consecutive peaks (or troughs) of the wave.
From the graph, we observe that the distance from one peak to the next peak is approximately 4 meters. This can be calculated by measuring the distance between the first peak (at 1 meter) and the second peak (at 5 meters), which gives:
Wavelength = Distance between peaks = 5 m - 1 m = 4 m.
So, the wavelength of this sound wave is 4 m.
Step 2
A second sound wave has a longer wavelength but a smaller amplitude.
Answer
In the case of the second sound wave, we can state that although it has a longer wavelength, its amplitude is reduced compared to the first wave.
This means that while the peaks of the wave are farther apart (indicating a longer wavelength), the height of the peaks and the depth of the troughs are lower than those in the first wave.
We can express the relationship simply:
- All wavelengths in this second wave are longer than the first wave.
- The amplitude, concerning the displacement from the equilibrium position, is smaller.