A note was played on a a keyboard. The frequency of the note was 440 Hz. (a) What does a frequency of 440 Hz mean? (b) The sound waves produced by the keyboard travel at a speed of 340 m/s. Calculate the wavelength of the note.

(a) A frequency of 440 Hz means that a single trough and peak of the sound wave oscillates 440 times per second or equally that 440 sound waves are produced by the keyboard per second (This is because the SI unit of a Hz is inverse seconds s^-1)

(b) We first need the equation that relates the two given quantities we have (wave velocity and frequency) to the third unknown, desired quantity (wavelength). This is equation is a simple one, v = f lambda. We want the quantity lambda, so we have to divide both sides of the equation by f to get v / f = lambda. We then plug in the numbers to find lambda, the wavelength, which is lambda = 340 m /s / 440 /s = 340/440 m (as the /s units cancel out leaving just length which is the correct unit for a wavelength!)

IW
Answered by Ifan W. Physics tutor

36063 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Why are transformers used in the National Grid?


Why is the redshift important?


A heater uses energy from a laptop computer to keep a mug of coffee hot. Energy is transferred to the coffee at the bottom of the mug. Explain how a convection current is set up in the coffee.


How to find wave speed from frequency and wave length.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences