A sound wave has a frequency of 500 Hz. The sound wave has a wavelength of 0.34 m in air. Calculate the speed of the sound wave in air?

As we know so far, c = f / λ. This equation comes from a much simpler version of speed = distance/ time. As the λ  (with units "m") can be seen as distance and the frequency (with units "1/s") can be seen as time. So by substituting the wave measurements into the speed = distance/ time formula, you can understand the c = f / λ equation a lot better. 

Now lets make f= 500 Hz and λ = 0.34

So c= 500/ 0.34

Therefore c = 170 (m/s)

RA
Answered by Reni A. Physics tutor

17275 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe the forces acting on a skydiver over time, from the moment she jumps out of the plane until hitting the ground and the effect this has on her velocity. What happens when she opens her parachute?


How does a hydraulic jack work and how do I work out the pressures involved?


Why does increasing the temperature of a gas increase the pressure (when the volume is fixed)?


A mass of 2kg is dropped from rest at a height of 10m. i) What is the initial GPE of the mass? ii) What is the final velocity of the mass when it hits the ground?


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning