Question #f8f9b

Question

Question #f8f9b

1 Answer

Impact of this question

5464 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2014-04-30T14:52:49

As frequency increases, the wavelength decreases by the same amount. It is an inverse relationship.

The relationship between frequency and wavelength is shown in the formula $v = f λ$ $v = f lambda$ , where f is the frequency of the wave in Hz and $λ$ $lambda$ is the wavelength in m.

Let's take, for example, a sound wave at sea level when the temperature is $20^{o} C$ $20^oC$ . The speed of sound at this temperature is 343 m/s. (This can be calculated using the formula $v = 331 + 0.6 T$ $v = 331 + 0.6T$ .) Let's give this sound a frequency of 440 Hz.

Using this formula, solving for $λ$ $lambda$ , we have v/f = 343/440 = 0.780 m being the wavelength of this wave.

Let's now increase the frequency by an octave - to a frequency of 880 Hz. Now, solving for $λ$ $lambda$ , we have v/f = 343/880 = 0.390 m being the wavelength. By doubling the frequency, the wavelength was cut in half.

Science

Math

Humanities

... and beyond

Question #f8f9b

1 Answer

Related questions

Impact of this question