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55 ideas · 69 connections
Wave frequency and photon energy A circuit diagram is a measurement plan Path difference becomes phase difference Stationary waves are a superposition pattern Use a stationary pattern to measure wave speed Turn an investigation question into measurements Instrument choice sets the measurement limits Measure wavelength over several repeats of a pattern Waves4.4 Quantum physics4.5 Planning1.1.1 Implementing1.1.2 Measurements and uncertainty2.2.1 Circuit symbols4.2.1 Wave motion4.4.1 Superposition4.4.3 Stationary waves4.4.4
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Physics connection

Measure wavelength over several repeats of a pattern

OCR A AS Physics · Two ideas, one explanation

Measuring several node spacings can reduce the fractional uncertainty in wavelength. The same approach is useful wherever a repeated pattern provides a measurable length.

λ = 2 × mean adjacent-node spacing

Follow the reasoning

  1. Identify the same feature at several positions.
  2. Measure a long separation containing a known number of intervals.
  3. Divide by the number of intervals before converting to wavelength.
Specification outcomes (4)
  • 4.4.4(e)(ii) Determine speed of sound in air by forming stationary waves in a resonance tube.
  • 4.4.4(f) Understand that the separation between adjacent nodes or antinodes is equal to λ / 2.
  • 1.1.2(a) How to use a wide range of practical apparatus and techniques correctly.
  • 1.1.2(c) Presenting observations and data in an appropriate format.
Open the official OCR AS specification ↗

H156 v2.0 · May 2026

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