Question

the student finds the wavelength is 0.5m

calculate the wave speed of the water waves

Answer 1

We can find the speed of the water waves from the wave speed formula:

$$v=f\lambda.$$

Unfortunately, from the condition of the question we don't know the period of the wave, so let assume that $T=2\ s$, than $f=1/T=1/2\ s=0.5\ Hz.$

Finally, we can find the speed of the water waves:

$$v=0.5\ Hz\cdot0.5\ m=0.25\ \dfrac{m}{s}.$$