A cork floating on the surface of still water moves up and down as ripples pass by

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics

Problem

A cork floating on the surface of still water moves up and down as ripples pass by. Its vertical displacement from the mean water level was recorded every

0.02\,\text{s}

, as shown in the table.

Time $t\,(\text{s})$	0.00	0.02	0.04	0.06	0.08	0.10	0.12	0.14
Displacement $y\,(\text{cm})$	0	3	0	$-3$	0	3	0	$-3$

Use the data to answer the following. (i) Plot a neat displacement–time graph of the motion of the cork, choosing suitable scales. (ii) From your graph, determine the time period

T

of the ripples. (iii) Calculate the frequency

f

of the ripples. (iv) State the amplitude of the motion of the cork.

Related theory

Oscillatory Motion Foundations
Wave Properties
SHM kinematics
Simple harmonic motion
Waves
Period and frequency
Oscillations

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