Learn about how waves are measured according to amplitude, wavelength and frequency.
Part ofCombined ScienceWaves
What is the speed of a water wave that has a frequency of 0.5 Hz and a wavelength of 3 m?
v = f λ
f = 0.5 Hz
λ = 3 m
v = 0.5 Hz × 3 m
v = 1.5 m/s
The speed of the wave is 1.5 m/s
A sound wave has a frequency of 10 kHz and a wavelength of 3.4 cm. What is its speed?
v = fλ
f = 10 kHz = 10,000 Hz
λ = 3.4 cm = \(\frac{\text{3.4}}{\text{100}}\) = 0.034 m
v = 10 000 Hz × 0.034 m
v = 340 m/s
The speed of the wave is 340 m/s.
A radio wave has a frequency of 3 MHz and a speed of 300,000,000 m/s. What is its wavelength?
v = 300,000,000 m/s
f = 3 MHz = 3 x 106 Hz
300,000,000 m/s = 3 x 106 Hz x λ
λ = \(\frac{\text{300,000,000}}{\text{3 x 10}^6}\)
λ = 100 m
The wavelength of the radio wave is 100 m.
