Physics Calculation Guide — Term 1 wa Introduction So here | will explain all the things you need to notice or keep in mind while doing physics calculations. “4. Term 1 Physics Sections: * |) Waves, Sound, and Light * (41.1 Pulse * (4 Transverse Waves * (4 Longitudinal Waves . Electromagnetic Waves a Before You Start: Always follow these steps when doing physicscalculations: . Determine the data (identify what's given). + 2 Determine what they're asking you to calculate. ¢ ¥ Write the formula as it is on the formula sheet (3€ do not change it). * _. Re-do the calculations twice to ensure accuracy. ¢ Check that all values are in the correct units before calculating.1.1 PULSE SPEED Formula: v=Dovert Where: * v= speed of the pulse (m/s) ¢ D=distance the pulse travels (m) * t= time taken (s) wc Example 1: A pulse travels 6 meters in 3 seconds. Calculate the speed. Given: v=?D=6mt=3s Apply formula: v = D over t v = 6 over3=42ms" a Example 2: A pulse moves at 1.5 m-s~'. How long will it take to travel 4.5m? Given: v=1.5m:s"1D=4.5mt=? v v=Dovert Rearranged: t = D over v (ONLY after writing the original formula) t=4.5 over1.5=(43s «a Example 3: A pulse moves 60 mm in 2 minutes. “4 Convert units first:¢ 60 mm = 60 over 1000 = 0.06 m « 2min=2x60=120s Vv v=D overt = 0.06 over 120 = 0.0005 m-s"" Mj TRANSVERSE WAVE SPEED Formula: v=fxA Where: * v= speed of wave (m/s) ¢ f = frequency (Hz) ¢ X= wavelength (m)wa Example 1: A transverse wave has a frequency of 10 Hz anda wavelength of 0.4 m. Given: f = 10 HzA=0.4m Vv v=fxA=10x0.4=(44ms" a Example 2: A wave travels at 25 m/s and has a wavelength of 5 m. What is the frequency? v=25m/sA=5m Vv f=voverA = 25 over 5=(45Hz Wj PERIOD AND FREQUENCYFormulas: ¢ f =Number of waves over Total time ¢ T=1overf ¢ T =Total time over Number of waves Remember: Frequency and period are inverses of each other. a Example: A wave completes 20 cycles in 4 seconds. Vv f=200ver4=(g5HzvV T=1 over f=1 over5=\g0.2s4 LONGITUDINAL WAVES Same formula applies: v=fxA Note: In a longitudinal wave (like sound), the wavelength is the distance between compressions. SPEED OF SOUND At room temperature (20°C): * Speed of sound = 4 343 m:s""Echo formula: v Time is for both ways, so: v = 2D over t a Example: You hear an echo 3 seconds after shouting toward a cliff. Distance to cliff? v=343 m/st=3s Vv D=vxtover 2 = 343 x 3 over 2 = 4514.5m €> ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVESFormula for wave speed: c = f x A Where: * c= speed of light (Kg 3.0 x 108 m/ s) ¢ f= frequency * A= wavelength Formula for energy: E=hx f ORE = h x c over A Where: ¢ E= energy (Joules) « h=Planck’s constant (4 6.63 x 10-34 Js) * c= speed of light wa TONE QUESTIONS These ask you to prove if the wave is:* € Gamma ray (very high energy, high frequency, short A) * ¥X Proton (not a wave — it's a particle) ws Example: Given f = 3 x 102° Hz, is this a gamma ray? E=h~x f = 6.63x10-*4 x 3x10” = 1.989 x 10-3 J Yes, high energy — Ay This is a gamma ray. X Final Reminders: * XX Do not change formulas. - ? Always identify what's missing. ¢ A) Always use SI units. ¢ vW Recheck your answer. Let me know when you're ready for Term 2!