Question

• A wave has amplitude of 15 cm and displaces at a speed of 80 m/s at a frequency of 270 Hz

a) Calculate its wavelength

• A longitudinal wave on a slinky toy has a frequency of 4Hz and a speed of 1.5 m/s. What is the wavelength of this wave?

Answer 1

By definition, the wavelength is:

$$\lambda = \dfrac{c}{\nu}$$

where $c$ is the speed of the wave, and $\nu$ is its frequency.

a) In the first case obtain:

$$\lambda = \dfrac{80m/s}{270Hz} \approx 0.296m$$

b) In the second case obtain:

$$\lambda = \dfrac{1.5m/s}{4Hz} = 0.375m$$

Answer. a) 0.296 m, b) 0.375 m.