To calculate wave speed, you use the formula:
wave speed(v)=frequency(f)×wavelength(λ)\text{wave speed}(v)=\text{frequency}(f)\times \text{wavelength}(\lambda)wave speed(v)=frequency(f)×wavelength(λ)
where:
- vvv is the wave speed in meters per second (m/s),
- fff is the frequency in hertz (Hz),
- λ\lambda λ (lambda) is the wavelength in meters (m).
This means you multiply the frequency of the wave by its wavelength to get the speed at which the wave travels
. Alternatively, if you know the distance a wave travels and the time it takes, you can calculate wave speed as:
speed=distancetime\text{speed}=\frac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}}speed=timedistance
but the most common and direct method for waves is using the frequency and wavelength formula
Example
If a wave has a frequency of 50 Hz and a wavelength of 6 meters:
v=50×6=300 m/sv=50\times 6=300\text{ m/s}v=50×6=300 m/s
So, the wave speed is 300 meters per second
Summary
- Identify the frequency (Hz) and wavelength (m) of the wave.
- Multiply frequency by wavelength.
- The result is the wave speed in meters per second (m/s).
This formula applies to all types of waves, including sound waves, light waves, and water waves
