Name: ________________

ANSWERS - HOMEWORK - Wave Speed, Frequency and Wavelength

1. Write down the formula for the relationship between wave speed,
frequency and wavelength. State the units for each.
speed = frequency x wavelength
v=fxλ
(m/s) (Hz) (m)

2. A series of waves have a frequency of 15 Hz. State what this means.

……15 complete waves pass every second…………………………………………………………

The same waves have a wavelength of 3.2 metres. Calculate the speed of the waves.
v = f x λ = 15 x 3.2 = 48 m/s
v = __48 m/s__

3. Some water waves move at 2.1 m/s, with a wavelength of 0.8 m. Calculate the frequency of the
waves.
f = v / λ = 2.1 / 0.8 = 2.625 Hz
f = __2.63 Hz__

4. A group of seismic waves during an earthquake have a frequency of 15 Hz and a wavelength of

450 metres. Calculate the speed of the waves.
v = f x λ = 15 x 450 = 6750 m/s
f = __6750 m/s__

5. A sound has a frequency of 2500 Hz. The speed of sound in air is 343 m/s. What is the
wavelength of this sound in air?
λ = v / f = 343 / 2500 = 0.1372 m
λ = __0.137 m__

The sound passes through a steel door. Given that the speed of sound in steel is 5800 m/s,
calculate the wavelength of the sound in the steel.
λ = v / f = 5800 / 2500 = 2.32 m
λ = __2.32 m__

What assumption did you make about the frequency of the sound?

……The frequency of the sound did not change when it moved into the steel………………

6. A bat uses echolocation to find its prey in the dark. During a freezing cold night the speed of
sound in air is 331 m/s. Why do you think this is slower than the speed of sound in air that you
were given in question 5?

……The air particles are moving less quickly so they take longer to pass the sound on……

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The wavelength of the sound it makes is 6mm. Calculate the frequency of the sound in Hertz.
6mm = 0.006m f = v / λ = 331 / 0.006 = 55167 Hz
f = _55167 Hz__