3.3.4

Wave Speed

Test yourself

Calculating Wave Speed

If we know the frequency of the wave and the wavelength, we can work out the speed it travels at. Light travels about one million times faster than sound.

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Calculating wave speed

  • Wave speed is calculated using the equation:
    • Wave speed = frequency × wavelength.
  • Wave speed is measured in m/s.
  • Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz).
  • Wavelength is measured in metres (m).
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Speed of sound and light

  • Light travels at 300,000,000 m/s.
  • Sound travels at 340 m/s in air.
  • This is why we can see lightning before we hear thunder.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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