Derive an expression for wave speed in terms of wavelength and frequency.

The general expression for speed is speed=distance/time.The wavelength (lambda) of a wave is the distance between one point on an oscillation to the exact same point on the next oscillation, or more simply the distance travelled in one oscillation. The time period (T) of a wave is the time taken for one complete oscillation. Therefore, for one oscillation, the distance travelled is the wavelength (Lambda) and the time taken is the time period (T). Using the general equation for speed, this gives wave speed (v)=wavelength (Lambda)/Time Period (T).The frequency (f) of a wave is the number of oscillations that occur in one second, and has a relationship with the time period (T) of frequency (f)=1/time period (T). Substituting this into the equation for wave speed gives wave speed (v)=frequency (f) x wavelength (Lambda).

MR

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do I convert between eV and J


A gun of mass 10kg fires a bullet of mass 240g at a speed of 300ms-1. What is the speed of the gun's recoil?


Derive the escape velocity from the surface of a planet with radius, r, and mass, M.


If a ball of mass 5kg is dropped from rest, how far will it travel in the 3 seconds after it reaches 150m from it's original position? Write down the change in it's total energy after the 3 seconds. (ignoring air resistance)