Period (GCSE Physics)

Period

Period

The ‘period’ of a wave is more commonly known as the ‘time period’. This is the amount of time it takes for a complete wave to occur.

We know that frequency is the number of waves passing a point in one second. We can use this information to find the time period of a wave in the next section.

Period
Period

Calculating Frequency

Formula for Frequency

We can calculate frequency of waves using the following formula.

Where:

  • period, T, in seconds, s
  • frequency, f, in hertz, Hz

Since the frequency is the number of waves passing a point in one second, we can work out the time period of one wave by dividing the length of time (in this case, 1 second) by the number of waves (the frequency). This will give us the time period of one single wave.

Question: A sound wave has a time period of 0.0001 seconds. What is its frequency?

1. Write out the formula.
We need to use the formula T = 1/f.

T = 1/ f

2. Substitute in the numbers.

f = 1 ÷ T
f = 1 ÷ 0.0001 s
f = 10,000 H

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→What is period in physics?

Period in physics refers to the time it takes for an object to complete one cycle of motion. It is a measure of the time required for an object to repeat a particular motion.

→How do you calculate period in physics?

To calculate period in physics, you need to know the frequency of an object’s motion. You can use the formula period = 1/frequency to calculate the period. The frequency is the number of cycles of motion that occur in a certain amount of time.

→What is frequency in physics?

Frequency in physics refers to the number of cycles of motion that occur in a certain amount of time. It is a measure of how often an object repeats a particular motion. In physics, frequency is usually measured in Hertz (Hz).

→How does period relate to frequency in physics?

Period and frequency are two closely related concepts in physics. The period of an object’s motion is the inverse of its frequency, and the frequency of an object’s motion is the inverse of its period.

→What are some real-world applications of period and frequency in physics?

Period and frequency are important concepts in physics that have many real-world applications. They are used in the fields of sound, light, and electromagnetism to describe the behavior of waves. They are also used in engineering to design and test systems that generate or use mechanical vibrations, such as car suspensions and audio speakers.

→How does period and frequency affect the motion of an object?

The period and frequency of an object’s motion determine the speed and smoothness of its motion. The longer the period of an object’s motion, the slower it will move, and the shorter the period of its motion, the faster it will move. The frequency of an object’s motion also affects the smoothness of its motion, with higher frequency motions being smoother and lower frequency motions being rougher.

→Can the period of an object’s motion be changed?

Yes, the period of an object’s motion can be changed by changing its frequency. For example, if you increase the frequency of an object’s motion, its period will decrease, and if you decrease the frequency of an object’s motion, its period will increase. This is because period and frequency are inversely proportional to one another.

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