View Full Version : Energy Wave corrolation.
munky99999
Sep12-04, 10:21 PM
If 2 waves have the exact same intensity/magnitude. But one's frequency(lets call this a-wave) is double the other's frequency(u-wave). Which has the largest total energy? Or does it matter what type of wave it is?
Generally the higher frequency wave will have more energy and, yes, the details depend on the type of wave.
pervect
Sep12-04, 11:10 PM
If 2 waves have the exact same intensity/magnitude. But one's frequency(lets call this a-wave) is double the other's frequency(u-wave). Which has the largest total energy? Or does it matter what type of wave it is?
For electromagnetic waves, the intensity is
\frac{E_{rms}^2}{c \mu_0}
so the energy is independent of frequency as long as c and u0 are independent of frequency.
However, as the frequency goes up, the energy will arrive in larger "packets" given by E=h*f.
I don't know the equations for water or sound waves offhand.
For water and sound waves the energy will be related to the maximum kinetic energy of the medium which is clearly greater for higher frequency waves than lower given equal amplitudes.
Gonzolo
Sep13-04, 09:01 PM
If 2 waves have the exact same intensity/magnitude. But one's frequency(lets call this a-wave) is double the other's frequency(u-wave). Which has the largest total energy? Or does it matter what type of wave it is?
Strictly speaking, you should probably be speaking of energy density. If the low frequency waves lasts much longer, it could have more "total energy". But I think your point came accross.
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