1. What is the Wave Speed Equation?

The wave speed equation relates the speed of a wave to its frequency and wavelength (distance between wave crests). It's fundamental in physics for understanding wave propagation in various media.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wave speed equation:

Where:

• Speed — Wave propagation speed (m/s)
• Distance — Wavelength, distance between wave crests (m)
• Frequency — Number of wave cycles per second (Hz)

Explanation: The equation shows that wave speed increases with either longer wavelengths or higher frequencies.

3. Importance of Wave Speed Calculation

Details: Calculating wave speed is essential in acoustics, electromagnetics, seismology, and other fields where wave propagation is studied.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter distance between wave crests in meters and frequency in hertz. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between wave speed and particle speed?
A: Wave speed is the propagation speed of the wave, while particle speed refers to how fast individual particles in the medium oscillate.

Q2: Does this equation apply to all types of waves?
A: Yes, it applies to mechanical waves (sound, water waves) and electromagnetic waves (light, radio), though the exact speed depends on the medium.

Q3: How does medium affect wave speed?
A: Wave speed changes with medium properties - for sound, it depends on density and elasticity; for light, on refractive index.

Q4: What's the relationship between frequency and wavelength?
A: They're inversely proportional when speed is constant (higher frequency = shorter wavelength).

Q5: Can this calculate speed of light?
A: Yes, if you know light's wavelength and frequency, though in vacuum it's always approximately 3×10⁸ m/s.