Physics A-Level
Harmonics
What Harmonics means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of Harmonics
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Reference: OCR
Distinct patterns in which a stationary wave on a stretched string or in a pipe can vibrate, with frequencies that are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency.
The allowed modes of a string fixed at both ends, described as first harmonic (n = 1), second harmonic (n = 2), third harmonic (n = 3), and so on.
Topics that use Harmonics
- Principle of superposition of waves and formation of stationary waves (AQA A-Level)
- Stationary waves (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Antinode
- Node
- Nodes and antinodes
- Amplitude variation
- Boundary conditions and allowed patterns
- Displacement–position envelope
- Displacement–time oscillation
- End correction in real tubes
Using Harmonics in the exam
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