What Determines the Speed of Waves?

Click For Summary
Wave speed is primarily determined by the properties of the medium, specifically its elasticity and mass density, as indicated by the equation v = √(τ/μ). While the relationship v = λƒ shows that wave speed is also connected to wavelength and frequency, this equation holds true regardless of the medium's characteristics. In most cases, the medium's properties dictate wave speed independently of wavelength and frequency, except in phenomena known as dispersion. This principle is particularly relevant for waves in stretched strings and three-dimensional compressible media, but does not apply to two-dimensional waves like surface water waves. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for grasping wave behavior in different contexts.
duran9987
Messages
12
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement


A bit confused here as to what wave speed is dependent on. At first I learned that v = λƒ, and a couple of pages later in my textbook I find that v = √(τ/μ). Also, I found that speed is only dependent on the properties of the medium, specifically its elasticity and mass. Where does wavelength and frequency come into play if the medium is the only dependent?

Homework Equations


none

The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
In many contexts, the properties of the medium determine the speed of waves in it independently of their wavelengths. This is (mostly) true of waves in a stretched string and waves in a 3 dimensional compressible medium. Any deviation from this is known as dispersion. In particular, it does not apply to 2 dimensional waves, such as surface waves on water. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dispersion_(water_waves).

Regardless of what determines the speed of a wave, its frequency and wavelength are always related by v = λƒ.
 

Thread 'Magnitude of buoyant force in fluids of different densities'

The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?
View full post »

Similar threads

Circle approximation of a wave pulse on a string or spring
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
1K
What frequency will the bat hear?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
1K
Question about Waves on a String
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Finding amplitude and wave speed in a sinusoidal wave.
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
What is the frequency of a longitudinal wave in terms of distance and speed?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Wave speed for non-uniform density?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Wave speed on a string of non-uniform linear mass density
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Sound Waves in Different Mediums
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Is the speed of a wave dependent on the speed of the source?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
18K
Wave speed of a stretched string
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K