How fast would a 163 Hz wave travel

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In a given medium, waves of the same type travel at the same speed regardless of frequency, meaning a 163 Hz wave would also travel at 823 m/s, the same as a 1575 Hz wave. The discussion highlights that while different frequencies can have different wavelengths, their speed remains constant in the same medium. However, some participants note that dispersion can affect wave speed in different contexts, such as light waves, where the refractive index varies with frequency. The original problem assumes no significant change in the medium, allowing for the simplification that all frequencies maintain the same speed. Overall, the key takeaway is that for waves of the same type in a consistent medium, speed does not vary with frequency.
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Homework Statement



A 1575 Hz wave is passing through a medium and has a speed of 823 m/s. How fast would a 163 Hz wave travel through the same medium? Assume both waves are the same type and that the medium doesn't change in any significant way.

Homework Equations



v=(wavelength)xfrequency


The Attempt at a Solution



823= w(1575)
823/1575=w=.522
.522x163=85.17

not right
 
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In a given medium, all the frequencies move with the same velocity with different wavelength.
 


thank you so much!
 


rl.bhat said:
In a given medium, all the frequencies move with the same velocity with different wavelength.


So no need to caculate velocity. Good concept.
 


You don't need to calculate anything else. As rl.bhat said, "in a given medium, all waves of same type move with the same velocity regardless of their frequencies."

Eg: Both red light and blue light move at the same speed in a given medium.
(But note that sound and light don't move at the same speed in the same medium because they are different types of waves. There is an obvious assumption in the question that the two waves are of the same type)
 


cartonn30gel said:
You don't need to calculate anything else. As rl.bhat said, "in a given medium, all waves of same type move with the same velocity regardless of their frequencies."

Eg: Both red light and blue light move at the same speed in a given medium.
(But note that sound and light don't move at the same speed in the same medium because they are different types of waves. There is an obvious assumption in the question that the two waves are of the same type)

Thanks a lot.
 


cartonn30gel said:
Eg: Both red light and blue light move at the same speed in a given medium.

This is not true. The speed of wave does change with frequency, the phenomenon is called "dispersion". The refractive index of a medium is n = c/v where c is the speed of light in vacuum and v is the speed in the given material. The refractive index is higher for blue light than it is for red. Dispersion causes the rainbow, and you observe it when a white light beam traverses through a prism.

The problem allowed to ignore this effect saying that "the medium doesn't change in any significant way" when the frequency changes.

ehild
 


ehild said:
The speed of wave does change with frequency, the phenomenon is called "dispersion". The refractive index of a medium is n = c/v where c is the speed of light in vacuum and v is the speed in the given material.

That's actually right. But last time I wanted to explain things in more detail, I just ended up confusing everybody. I try to stay away from that. But I should have mentioned. Thanks
 
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