# Wave velocity

1. Apr 29, 2006

### lightfire22000

Anyone know how to calculate the wave velocity if you know the frecuency, but not the wavelength? We were also given the amplitude.

2. Apr 29, 2006

### Staff: Mentor

Wave velocity of what? The wave equation is $$v = f \lambda$$, so unless you have other information you won't be able to find the speed. (Amplitude won't help.) What's the exact problem?

3. Apr 29, 2006

### lightfire22000

A transverse wave, with amplitude 13 cm, and frecuency of 5.00 Hz...No wavelength mentioned.
a) Find the velocity of the wave.
b)Find the total distance traveled by a particle on the wave after 3 seconds.

How come the wavelength isn't the period of the function, or the reciporacal of the frecuency?

4. Apr 29, 2006

### Staff: Mentor

Of what? A wave on a stretched string?
I don't see enough info to answer part a, but b seems doable.

Wavelength is a length, period is a time. How can they be the same? (They are related by wave speed, given by the wave equation.) Period is the reciprical of frequency.

5. Apr 30, 2006