What is the speed of the wave?

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In summary, the speed of a wave is the rate at which it travels through a medium and can be calculated by dividing the wavelength by the period. It can be measured using various methods and can change depending on the medium it is traveling through. The speed of a wave is not always constant and has an inverse relationship with wavelength.
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whitehorsey
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1. A periodic longitudinal wave that has a frequency of 20.0 Hz travels along a coil spring. if the distance between successive compressions is 0.4m, what is the speed of the wave?


2. v= wavelength times frequency



3. v= wavelength times frequency
= 0.4 * (20)
= 8 m/s ------ I'm not sure if this is right.
 
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Looks good!

Welcome to Physics Forums.
 
  • #3


thank you!
 

1. What is the speed of a wave?

The speed of a wave is the rate at which the wave travels through a medium. It can be calculated by dividing the wavelength of the wave by the period of the wave.

2. How is the speed of a wave measured?

The speed of a wave can be measured using various methods, such as timing how long it takes for a wave to travel a known distance, or using specialized instruments like a laser interferometer.

3. Does the speed of a wave change?

Yes, the speed of a wave can change depending on the medium through which it is traveling. For example, sound waves travel faster through solids than through gases.

4. Is the speed of a wave constant?

No, the speed of a wave is not always constant. It can vary depending on factors such as the properties of the medium, the frequency of the wave, and the temperature and pressure of the medium.

5. What is the relationship between wavelength and wave speed?

There is an inverse relationship between wavelength and wave speed. This means that as the wavelength increases, the wave speed decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the formula: wave speed = frequency x wavelength.

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