What's the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and wave speed?

The relationship between frequency, wavelength, and wave speed is given by the equation v = fλ, where v is wave speed, f is frequency, and λ is wavelength.

In the realm of physics, particularly in the study of waves, the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and wave speed is a fundamental concept. This relationship is encapsulated in the equation v = fλ. In this equation, 'v' represents the wave speed, 'f' stands for frequency, and 'λ' (lambda) symbolises the wavelength.

Wave speed is the speed at which a wave travels through a medium, and it is usually measured in metres per second (m/s). Frequency, on the other hand, is the number of waves that pass a fixed point in a given amount of time, typically measured in hertz (Hz). Wavelength is the distance between two corresponding points on consecutive waves, such as from crest to crest or from trough to trough, and it is measured in metres (m).

The equation v = fλ shows that the speed of a wave is directly proportional to both its frequency and its wavelength. This means that if the frequency of a wave increases, with the wave speed remaining constant, the wavelength must decrease, and vice versa. Similarly, if the wavelength of a wave increases, with the wave speed remaining constant, the frequency must decrease.

This relationship is crucial in understanding various phenomena in physics. For instance, in the electromagnetic spectrum, different types of waves (such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays) have different frequencies and wavelengths, but they all travel at the same speed - the speed of light.


IB Physics Tutor Summary: The equation v = fλ links wave speed (v), frequency (f), and wavelength (λ), showing that wave speed equals frequency times wavelength. Essentially, if one increases, the other must decrease to keep the speed constant. This principle helps us understand how different types of waves, like light or sound, behave in various mediums, crucial for physics studie