What is the wave speed if the wavelength is .5 m and the frequency is 50 Hz?

2 Answers
Apr 27, 2018

All waves satisfy the relationship #v=flambda#, where

  • #v# is the speed of light
  • #f# is the frequency
  • #lambda# is the wavelength

Thus, if the wavelength #lambda=0.5# and frequency #f=50#, then the speed of the wave is
#v=flambda=50*0.5=25\ "m"/"s"#

Apr 27, 2018

25 m/s

Explanation:

To calculate the speed of a wave, simply multiply its wavelength and its frequency (given that you are provided with the two variables).

This makes sense, since the unit for speed (m/s) matches that of the product of wavelength (m) and frequency (Hz). Keep in mind that one Hz is equivalent to one inverse second (#s^-1# or #1/s#).

If you multiply m (the unit for wavelength) with #1/s# (the unit for frequency), you will get m/s, the unit for speed.

Now multiply!
.5 m * 50 Hz = 25 m/s

25 m/s is your final answer!