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Physics · Paper 2 · Foundation + Higher · P6

Calculating wave speed

Key ideas1 of 3

Speed links frequency and wavelength

Use v = fλ. Wave speed v is in m/s, frequency f in Hz, and wavelength λ in m. The symbol λ is the Greek letter lambda. It stands for wavelength, not a multiplication sign. In the example, f = 5 Hz and λ = 0.40 m, so v = 5 × 0.40 = 2.0 m/s. Wave speed describes the movement of the disturbance or transfer of energy, rather than the speed of a particle’s local oscillation.

Parallel wavefronts have spacing 0.40 metres and frequency 5 hertz. Wave speed is unknown.

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Daily 5 · Exam practice · Revision sheet ↓

Foundation + Higher · P6. Thirteen core lessons, followed by three labelled Higher Tier lessons.

AQA Combined Science Trilogy 8464 · 6.6.1.2. Original notes, questions and diagrams. Models are simplified; teaching data are illustrative.