Page 6 - Topic 3
P. 6
The displacement of the moving charge will dictate the amplitude of the wave and the rate of oscillation will
determine the wavelength of the wave.
Therefore
• if the charge oscillates faster, then the frequency will be greater and the wavelength will be smaller
• if the charge oscillates slower, then the frequency will be smaller and the wavelength will be longer.
This all relates back to the equation
=
EXAMPLE
A ray of yellow light has a wavelength of 596nm in a vacuum. Find its frequency.
The frequency of radiation in a microwave is 2450MHz. Find its wavelength.
PLANE POLARISATION OF THE WAVE
The polarisation of the wave is dependent on the orientation of the electric field.
Vertically polarised
