1. What is Wave Speed?

Wave speed is the distance a wave travels per unit time. It's calculated as the product of frequency and wavelength. This relationship is fundamental in physics, particularly in the study of sound, light, and other wave phenomena.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wave speed equation:

Where:

• \( v \) — Wave speed (m/s)
• \( f \) — Frequency (Hz)
• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength (m)

Explanation: The equation shows that wave speed is directly proportional to both frequency and wavelength.

3. Importance of Wave Speed Calculation

Details: Calculating wave speed is essential in various fields including acoustics, optics, radio technology, and seismology. It helps in designing communication systems, musical instruments, and understanding natural phenomena.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter frequency in Hertz (Hz) and wavelength in meters (m). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the speed of sound in air?
A: Approximately 343 m/s at 20°C, but it varies with temperature and medium.

Q2: What's the speed of light in vacuum?
A: Exactly 299,792,458 m/s (defined value in SI units).

Q3: How does medium affect wave speed?
A: Wave speed changes with medium properties - sound travels faster in water than air, light travels slower in glass than vacuum.

Q4: Can wave speed be greater than light speed?
A: Not for physical waves according to relativity, though some phenomena can appear to exceed it without information transfer.

Q5: How is wave speed related to wave energy?
A: For mechanical waves, energy is proportional to amplitude squared and frequency squared, but speed is determined by medium properties.