The wave equation relates the speed of a wave to its frequency and wavelength. It is given by:
\[ v = f \lambda \]
This equation shows that wave speed increases with frequency or wavelength. If the wave travels through a specific medium, the speed remains constant, and changing the frequency will inversely change the wavelength, and vice versa.
A water wave has a frequency of 5 Hz and a wavelength of 2 meters. What is the speed of the wave?
Given:
Using the wave equation:
\[ v = f \lambda = 5 \times 2 = 10 \ \text{m/s} \]
Answer: The wave speed is \( 10 \ \text{m/s} \).
A sound wave is traveling at 340 m/s and has a frequency of 1700 Hz. What is its wavelength?
Given:
Rearrange the wave equation to solve for wavelength:
\[ \lambda = \frac{v}{f} = \frac{340}{1700} = 0.2 \ \text{m} \]
Answer: The wavelength is \( 0.2 \ \text{m} \).
Written by Thenura Dilruk