Wavelength Physics Example 4

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Example 4

medium

A sound wave has frequency 440 Hz and travels at 343 m/s. Find the wavelength.

Solution

1
Use the wave equation relating speed, frequency, and wavelength: $v = f\lambda$ .
2
Rearrange to solve for wavelength: $\lambda = \frac{v}{f}$ .
3
Substitute the values: $\lambda = \frac{343\,\text{m/s}}{440\,\text{Hz}} = 0.780\,\text{m}$

Answer

The wavelength is

\lambda \approx 0.780\,\text{m}

(about 78 cm).

The note A4 (440 Hz) is the standard tuning pitch. At the speed of sound in air (343 m/s at 20\u00b0C), its wavelength is about 78 cm. Higher-frequency sounds have shorter wavelengths, and lower-frequency sounds have longer wavelengths.

About Wavelength

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive identical points on a wave, such as from one peak to the next peak or one trough to.

Learn more about Wavelength →

More Wavelength Examples

Example 1 easy

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

Example 2 medium

Red light has a wavelength of [formula] in a vacuum. What is its frequency? Use [formula].

Example 3 easy

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

Example 5 medium

A radio station broadcasts at [formula]. What is the wavelength of the signal? Use [formula].

← All Wavelength Examples Wavelength Concept

Related Concepts

Waves Frequency Wave Speed