GCSE Combined Science (AQA)

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Period

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Waves Waves in air, fluids and solids

Period

3:13 Properties of Waves
Spec 4.6.1.2
Previous Frequency Next Frequency-Period Relation
  • The period of a wave is the time it takes for a full wavelength to pass through a point.
  • Waves transfer energy without transporting matter.
  • In transverse waves, matter moves up and down while the wave moves horizontally.
  • Wavelength is the distance between two equivalent points on the wave, such as peaks.
  • The period is the time it takes for one cycle of the wave pattern to pass a point.
  • Example: If a peak takes two seconds to pass a line, the period is two seconds.
  • Period can also be measured by the time it takes a particle to complete one cycle of motion in a wave.
  • Measuring two cycles can help with accuracy if the period is short.
  • Example: If two cycles take three seconds, the period is 1.5 seconds.
  • Period is determined by the time it takes to produce a single wavelength.
  • Example: Creating a transverse wave on a spring by flicking a hand up and down.
  • If it takes half a second for the hand motion, the wave period is 0.5 seconds.
  • The period of a wave equals the period of the oscillations that create it.
  • Understanding the period of a wave and how to measure it is important for exams.

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