How is the speed of a wave related to its frequency and wavelength?

The speed of a wave is directly proportional to its frequency and wavelength.

The speed of a wave is determined by the medium through which it travels. In a vacuum, electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light, which is approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s. In other mediums, such as air or water, the speed of a wave is slower and depends on the properties of the medium.

The frequency of a wave is the number of complete cycles it completes in one second and is measured in Hertz (Hz). The wavelength of a wave is the distance between two consecutive points on the wave that are in phase, such as two crests or two troughs. It is measured in metres (m).

The relationship between the speed of a wave, its frequency, and its wavelength is described by the equation v = fλ, where v is the speed of the wave, f is the frequency, and λ is the wavelength. This equation shows that as the frequency of a wave increases, its wavelength decreases, and vice versa. However, the speed of the wave remains constant.

This relationship is important in understanding the behaviour of waves and their interactions with different mediums. For example, when a wave travels from one medium to another, its speed may change, but its frequency and wavelength remain the same. This can cause the wave to be refracted or reflected, leading to phenomena such as the bending of light or the echoes of sound waves.

To understand more about how waves are characterized, explore our detailed notes on Wave Parameters. Additionally, different types of waves behave differently; learn more from our notes on Types of Waves. For a broader understanding of wave motion in physics, refer to our comprehensive overview of Wave Motion.

A-Level Physics Tutor Summary: The speed of a wave links to its frequency (cycles per second) and wavelength (distance between wave peaks) through the equation v = fλ. This means wave speed varies with the medium (like air or water) but is constant in a vacuum. When waves move between mediums, their speed changes, leading to effects like light bending or sound echoing, while their frequency stays the same.