Wave Speed

What is the formula for calculating wave speed?

• wave speed = amplitude × wavelength

• wave speed = frequency × wavelength

• wave speed = frequency / wavelength

• wave speed = wavelength / frequency

Answer explanation

The formula for calculating wave speed is given by wave speed = frequency × wavelength. This is because wave speed represents how fast a wave travels through a medium, and it is determined by the product of the wave's frequency (how many cycles occur per second) and its wavelength (the distance between two consecutive points in the wave).

If the wavelength of a wave is 2 meters and the frequency is 5 Hz, what is the wave speed?

• 10

• 15

• 7

• 2

Answer explanation

The wave speed can be calculated using the formula: speed = wavelength × frequency. In this case, the wavelength is 2 meters and the frequency is 5 Hz. By multiplying these values (2 meters × 5 Hz), we get a wave speed of 10 meters per second, which is the correct choice.

What are the factors that affect wave speed?

• Amplitude and energy

• Frequency and wavelength

• Temperature and pressure

• Medium and properties of the medium

Answer explanation

Wave speed is affected by the medium through which it travels and the properties of that medium. The correct choice is 'Medium and properties of the medium'. Factors like amplitude, energy, frequency, wavelength, temperature, and pressure do not directly affect wave speed, but they can influence the properties of the medium, which in turn affects the speed.

How can you measure the wave speed of a wave?

• By subtracting the distance traveled by the wave from the time it takes to travel that distance.

• By adding the distance traveled by the wave to the time it takes to travel that distance.

• By multiplying the distance traveled by the wave by the time it takes to travel that distance.

• By dividing the distance traveled by the wave by the time it takes to travel that distance.

Answer explanation

To measure the wave speed of a wave, you need to determine the distance the wave travels and the time it takes to travel that distance. The correct method is to divide the distance by the time, which gives you the wave speed. This is the fundamental formula for calculating wave speed: speed = distance / time.

If the frequency of a wave is 10 Hz and the wave speed is 20 m/s, what is the wavelength?

• 0.5 m

• 2 m

• 10 m

• 5 m

Answer explanation

The wavelength can be calculated using the formula: wavelength = wave speed / frequency. In this case, the wave speed is 20 m/s and the frequency is 10 Hz. By substituting these values into the formula, we get: wavelength = 20 m/s / 10 Hz = 2 m. Therefore, the correct answer is 2 m.

True or False: The wave speed of a wave is directly proportional to its frequency.

• False

• True

• The wave speed of a wave is inversely proportional to its frequency.

• The wave speed of a wave is not related to its frequency.

Answer explanation

False is the correct choice. The wave speed of a wave is not directly proportional to its frequency. Instead, wave speed is determined by the medium through which the wave travels and is given by the formula v = fλ, where v is wave speed, f is frequency, and λ is wavelength. Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional, not directly proportional.

True or False: The wave speed of a wave is inversely proportional to its wavelength.

• False

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

• The wave speed of a wave is not related to its wavelength.

• True

Answer explanation

The statement is true. The speed of a wave is directly proportional to its wavelength. This means that as the wavelength of a wave increases, its speed also increases, and vice versa. This relationship is a fundamental principle in wave mechanics.

What unit is used to measure wave speed?

• ft/s

• mph

• km/h

• m/s

Answer explanation

The unit used to measure wave speed is meters per second (m/s). This is because wave speed is a type of velocity, and velocity is typically measured in terms of distance traveled (meters) over time (seconds). Therefore, the correct answer to the question is 'm/s'.

If the wavelength of a wave is 4 meters and the wave speed is 8 m/s, what is the frequency?

• 2 Hz

• 10 Hz

• 6 Hz

• 4 Hz

Answer explanation

The frequency of a wave is calculated by dividing the wave speed by the wavelength. In this case, the wave speed is 8 m/s and the wavelength is 4 meters. Therefore, the frequency is 8/4 = 2 Hz. Hence, the correct answer is 2 Hz.

What is the relationship between wave speed and the medium through which the wave travels?

• Wave speed is inversely proportional to the properties of the medium.

• Wave speed is dependent on the properties of the medium.

• Wave speed is independent of the properties of the medium.

• Wave speed is only affected by the temperature of the medium.

Answer explanation

The speed at which a wave travels is influenced by the properties of the medium through which it passes. This includes factors such as the medium's density, elasticity, and temperature. Therefore, the correct answer is that wave speed is dependent on the properties of the medium.