Wave Speed Physics Example 2

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Example 2

medium
A seismic wave travels 60 km60 \text{ km} in 10 s10 \text{ s}. What is its speed? If the frequency is 2 Hz2 \text{ Hz}, what is the wavelength?

Solution

  1. 1
    Convert the distance to metres: 60 km=60,000 m60 \text{ km} = 60{,}000 \text{ m}.
  2. 2
    Speed: v=dt=60,00010=6000 m/sv = \frac{d}{t} = \frac{60{,}000}{10} = 6000 \text{ m/s}
  3. 3
    Wavelength: λ=vf=60002=3000 m\lambda = \frac{v}{f} = \frac{6000}{2} = 3000 \text{ m}

Answer

v=6000 m/s,λ=3000 mv = 6000 \text{ m/s}, \quad \lambda = 3000 \text{ m}
Seismic waves travel much faster than sound waves because they propagate through solid rock. Their long wavelengths correspond to their low frequencies.

About Wave Speed

Wave speed is the distance a wave pattern travels each second through a medium.

Learn more about Wave Speed →

More Wave Speed Examples

Example 1 easy

A sound wave has a frequency of [formula] and a wavelength of [formula]. What is the speed of sound?

Example 3 medium

An electromagnetic wave has a frequency of [formula]. What is its wavelength? Use [formula].

Example 4 medium

The speed of sound in air at [formula] is [formula] and in water is [formula]. A [formula] tone trav

Example 5 medium

A sound wave has frequency 440 Hz and wavelength 0.773 m. Calculate the speed of sound.

← All Wave Speed Examples Wave Speed Concept