A bat emits a sound wave with a frequency of 25.0 kHz and a wavelength of 0.0136 metres. Calculate the speed of this sound wave.

In this question you are given frequency and wavelength of the wave and you are asked for the speed. You need to use the formula on you sheet that uses these three properties : v = f x λ, where v is the speed, f is the frequency and λ is the wavelength.

You know from the question that f = 25kHz and λ = 0.0136m, however 1 kHz is actually 1000 Hz and you need to remember this before you do your calculation. Therefore the numbers you need to put into your calculator are f = 25 x 1000 = 25000 and λ = 0.0136.

The calculation that you then need to do is 25000 x 0.0136 = 340. You must not forget the units of speed, which here are metres per second, or m/s. Your final answer is 340 m/s.

LD
Answered by Libby D. Physics tutor

17465 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between reflection, refraction and diffraction?


Given an ammeter voltmeter a battery and a lamp how will you find the resistance of the lamp?


What are the different ways that energy can be transferred?


A rock fragment weighing 50N is displaced from the top of a cliff and falls 0.12 km to the ground. Calculate the kinetic energy (in J) of the rock just before it hits the ground. Assume air resistance is negligible.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning