Relationship between wave propagation speed frequency

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between wave propagation speed and frequency in various media. Participants explore whether there is a maximum frequency that can be produced based on the propagation speed of waves, and how this relates to the behavior of waves in different contexts, such as sound and light.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the wave propagation speed in a medium implies an upper bound for the maximum frequency of perturbations.
  • Another participant argues against the conclusion that propagation speed limits frequency, referencing examples of light and sound waves.
  • A participant expresses confusion about whether any medium can vibrate at any speed, while acknowledging that the propagation of these vibrations occurs at a specific speed (e.g., speed of sound).
  • There is a discussion about a source emitting a wave at a high frequency and the implications for what a receiver detects, with one participant suggesting that the receiver will record a lower frequency due to the slow propagation speed.
  • Another participant counters this by stating that the receiver will record the same frequency, but with a delay, emphasizing the role of propagation speed in timing rather than frequency alteration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between wave propagation speed and frequency, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of frequency and propagation speed, as well as the conditions under which these concepts interact in different media.

mnb96
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Hello,
if we assume that the wave propagation-speed in a medium is v, does this imply that there is an "upper-bound" for the maximum frequency that a perturbation can produce?
Or are these totally unrelated quantities?

Thanks!
 
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ok...I am still confused.

1) First of all: is it true that any medium, for example the air, can "vibrate" at any speed, although the vibration will propagate only at a certain speed (e.g. the speed of sound)?

2) Even if point 1) is correct, think about a source-receiver scenario. A source emits a wave by perturbing the medium at an extremely high frequency. However the vibration propagates through the medium extremely slowly. The receiver will "record" a much lower frequency than the one emitted.
 
mnb96 said:
ok...I am still confused.

2) Even if point 1) is correct, think about a source-receiver scenario. A source emits a wave by perturbing the medium at an extremely high frequency. However the vibration propagates through the medium extremely slowly. The receiver will "record" a much lower frequency than the one emitted.

The receiver will record the same frequency, only much later, due to the slow propagation.
The propagation speed determines the delay between the signal emission and reception.
 

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