AP Physics 1 Exam Question:

A wave is observed traveling through a medium. The graph below represents the displacement of particles in the medium as a function of time.

a) Determine the amplitude of the wave. b) Calculate the period of the wave. c) Find the frequency of the wave. d) Identify whether the wave is longitudinal or transverse. Justify your answer.

Answer:

a) The amplitude of a wave represents the maximum displacement of particles from their equilibrium position. From the graph, we can see that the maximum displacement is approximately 0.06 m. Therefore, the amplitude of the wave is 0.06 m.

b) The period of a wave represents the time it takes for one complete cycle or oscillation to occur. In the given graph, one complete cycle is completed in approximately 0.8 s. Therefore, the period of the wave is 0.8 s.

c) The frequency of a wave is the number of complete cycles or oscillations that occur in one second. It is the reciprocal of the period. Thus, the frequency can be calculated as:

Frequency = 1 / Period

Frequency = 1 / 0.8 s

Frequency = 1.25 Hz

Therefore, the frequency of the wave is 1.25 Hz.

d) To identify whether the wave is longitudinal or transverse, we need to examine the motion of particles in the medium. In the given graph, we see that the displacement of particles occurs perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. This indicates that the motion of the particles is up and down, which is characteristic of a transverse wave.

Hence, the wave depicted in the graph is a transverse wave.