A Level Physics Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the A Level Physics Exam. Our quiz features flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare thoroughly!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

In the nth harmonic, what is the relationship between length (L) and wavelength?

L = n * wavelength
L = (n/2) * wavelength
L = (2/n) * wavelength
L = n^2 * wavelength

The correct answer is: L = (n/2) * wavelength

In the nth harmonic for a system that supports standing waves, the relationship between the length of the medium (L) and the wavelength can be understood by considering how these waves are formed within the system. For example, in a string fixed at both ends, the fundamental frequency (1st harmonic) has a wavelength that is twice the length of the string. As you move to higher harmonics, the string supports additional nodes and antinodes. The nth harmonic will contain n half-wavelengths fitting into the length of the string. This leads to the relationship where the length of the string is equal to n half-wavelengths. Mathematically, this is represented as: L = (n/2) * wavelength This relationship clearly indicates that as n increases, the wavelength decreases, which corresponds to higher frequencies. Thus, the correct choice accurately reflects the proportional relationship between length and wavelength in the context of the nth harmonic.