To find the velocity of a wave without knowing the wavelength, you would need to have other information about the wave. There are a few different scenarios where you can determine the velocity without directly knowing the wavelength:
Frequency and Medium: If you know the frequency of the wave and the medium through which it is traveling, you can use the formula for wave velocity:
v = f * λ
Rearranging the formula, you have:
v = f / λ
Since you don't have the wavelength, you can't directly calculate the velocity. However, if you know the frequency (f) and the medium through which the wave is traveling (which can determine the wave's characteristics), you can determine the velocity using this formula.
Wave Type and Medium: Different types of waves, such as sound waves or electromagnetic waves, have known velocities in specific mediums. For example, in dry air at sea level, sound waves typically travel at a speed of approximately 343 meters per second. Similarly, electromagnetic waves, including visible light, have a constant speed in a vacuum, which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.
Experimental Measurements: In some cases, you may need to perform experimental measurements to determine the wave velocity indirectly. For example, you can measure the time it takes for a wave to travel a known distance and then use the equation v = d / t, where v is the velocity, d is the distance traveled, and t is the time taken. This method can be used for various wave phenomena, such as water waves or waves on a string.
In summary, to determine the velocity of a wave without knowing the wavelength, you need additional information such as the frequency, the characteristics of the medium, or experimental measurements.