The relationship among frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and wave velocity can be described by the wave equation:
v = λ * f
where:
- v represents the wave velocity,
- λ (lambda) represents the wavelength,
- f represents the frequency.
According to the equation, the wave velocity (v) is equal to the product of the wavelength (λ) and the frequency (f). This equation holds true for various types of waves, including sound waves and electromagnetic waves.
Here's a breakdown of how these variables are related:
Wave Velocity (v): It represents the speed at which the wave propagates through a medium. The wave velocity is constant for a given medium and depends on the properties of the medium, such as its density and elasticity. In different media, wave velocities can vary.
Wavelength (λ): It refers to the spatial length of one complete cycle of the wave. In other words, it is the distance between two consecutive points in a wave that are in phase (e.g., two peaks or two troughs). Wavelength is usually measured in meters (m).
Frequency (f): It represents the number of complete cycles or oscillations of the wave that occur per unit of time. Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz), which corresponds to cycles per second.
The relationship v = λ * f states that the wave velocity is equal to the product of the wavelength and the frequency. This equation implies that if the frequency of a wave increases while the wavelength remains constant, the wave velocity will increase. Conversely, if the frequency decreases while the wavelength remains constant, the wave velocity will decrease. Changes in either the frequency or wavelength can affect the wave velocity, but their product remains constant.