Wave speed

v=\lambda f

Result unit: m/s

What it describes

The speed at which a wave travels is the product of the wavelength and the frequency.

v

wave speed

[m/s]

\lambda

wavelength

[m]

f

frequency

[Hz]

In one period a wave advances by one wavelength, hence

v=\lambda f

. The speed depends on the medium; changing the medium at a fixed frequency changes the wavelength.

Mechanical and EM waves; the relation between wavelength, frequency and speed.

A wave has

\lambda=2

m and

f=5

Hz. Calculate its speed.

Substitution

\lambda=2

f=5

Result

v=2\cdot5=10

m/s.

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