| Wave Movement |
Wave Measurements Return to Physics Index
Waves can be measured in wave lengths, speed and frequency. Each measurement of wave motion can be calculated with a formula.
| Wave Speed The speed of a wave can be calculated as: Speed = Wavelength X Frequency or Speed = Distance/Time. Example: 1 Wavelength and Frequency are Known Wavelength = λ Frequency = Hz Speed = λ X Hz λ = 4 m Hz = 2 Hz Speed = 4 m x 2 Hz Speed = 4 m x 2/s Speed = 8 m/s Example : 2 Distance and Time are Known Distance = Metrics Units such as Meters or m Time = Seconds or s Speed = Distance/Time Distance = 10 meters Time = 2 seconds Speed = 10 m/ 2 s Speed = 5 m/s
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| Wave Frequency Wave Frequency can be calculated by dividing Wave Speed over Wave Length. Example: Hz = m/s/λ Speed = 20m/s Wavelength λ = 5 m Hz = 20 m/s / 5 m Hz = 4/s or 4 Hz
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| Wavelength
Wavelength can be calculated by dividing Wave Speed by Wave Frequency. Example: Speed = Distance/Seconds Frequency = Number/Per Time d = Distance t = Time n = Number λ = Wavelength λ = d/t / n/t d = 20 m/s n = 10/s λ = 20 m/s / 10/s λ = 2 m
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