A speaker emits a sound wave through a metallic block, with a speed of 0.42 km/s, and a frequency of 16kHz. Calculate the wavelength to 3.s.f. Describe the characteristics of a longitudinal wave.

Firstly the values should be converted into more comfortable units. 0.42km/s = 420m/s, and 16kHz = 16,000Hz. Next, use the equation wavelength = speed/frequency This gives wavelength = 420m/s over 16,000/s = 0.02625, which gives 0.0263m, to 3.s.f. In longitudinal waves, particles propagate (travel) in the same direction as the wave. Longitudinal waves create areas of high and low density, called compressions and rarefactions respectively.

JB

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Trolley A carrying mass 10kg is moving at speed 5m/s, and collides with stationary Trolley B carrying a mass 5kg. Indicating which Law you would apply, what is the speed and direction of Trolley B if Trolley A's resulting movement is 2m/s to the left?


Which are the forms of heat you know. Explain them briefly including an example


A pendulum has a frequency of 0.80 Hz, calculate the periodic time of the pendulum.


I never know where to start where I get a calculation question given many values, what should I do? (e.g: finding how much energy is needed for all the ice in a glass of water to melt after the ice is dropped into warm water)