When a sound wave passes from one medium to another, such as from water to wood, where the speed of sound is greater, the wavelength of the sound wave changes.
The speed of sound in a medium is directly proportional to the frequency and inversely proportional to the wavelength of the sound wave. Mathematically, this relationship can be expressed as:
v = f * λ
Where: v = speed of sound f = frequency of the sound wave λ = wavelength of the sound wave
Since the frequency remains constant as the sound wave travels from water to wood, and the speed of sound increases in wood, the wavelength must also change.
When the sound wave enters the wood, where the speed of sound is greater than in water, the wavelength of the sound wave in wood becomes shorter. This is because the speed of sound increases while the frequency remains constant. The equation shows that if the speed increases, and the frequency remains constant, the wavelength must decrease in order to maintain the equation.
In summary, as the sound wave passes from water to wood, where the speed of sound is greater, the wavelength of the sound wave decreases.