# Energy Wave corrolation.

1. Sep 12, 2004

### munky99999

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?

2. Sep 12, 2004

### Tide

Generally the higher frequency wave will have more energy and, yes, the details depend on the type of wave.

3. Sep 12, 2004

### pervect

Staff Emeritus
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.

4. Sep 12, 2004

### Tide

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.

5. Sep 13, 2004

### Gonzolo

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.