Wave Speed Calculator
Calculate wave speed from frequency, wavelength, period, and wavenumber
Calculate Wave Speed
Number of wave cycles per second
Distance between two consecutive wave peaks
Wave Speed Results
Formula used: v = f × λ
Wave equation: v = f × λ = λ / T
Wave Analysis
Example Calculation
Sound Wave Example
Given: Frequency = 1500 Hz, Wavelength = 0.221 m
Medium: Sound wave in air
Calculation
v = f × λ
v = 1500 Hz × 0.221 m
v = 331.5 m/s
This is the speed of sound in air at room temperature
Wave Equation Quick Reference
Basic Equation
v = f × λ
Speed = Frequency × Wavelength
Period Form
v = λ / T
Speed = Wavelength / Period
Wavenumber Form
v = f / k
Speed = Frequency / Wavenumber
Relationships
f = 1/T, k = 1/λ
Frequency ↔ Period, Wavenumber ↔ Wavelength
Common Wave Speeds
Light (vacuum)
2.998 × 10⁸ m/s
Sound in Air (20°C)
343 m/s
Sound in Water
~1500 m/s
Sound in Steel
~5000 m/s
Seismic P-waves
6000-8000 m/s
Seismic S-waves
3000-4500 m/s
Wave Types
Mechanical Waves
Sound, seismic, water waves
Electromagnetic Waves
Light, radio, X-rays
Matter Waves
De Broglie waves, quantum
Surface Waves
Ocean waves, Rayleigh waves
Understanding Wave Speed
What is Wave Speed?
Wave speed is the rate at which a wave propagates through a medium. It represents how fast the disturbance travels from one point to another. Wave speed depends on the properties of the medium and the type of wave.
Fundamental Relationship
- •Speed = Frequency × Wavelength: v = f × λ
- •Speed = Wavelength / Period: v = λ / T
- •Period and Frequency: T = 1/f
Wave Properties
Frequency (f)
Number of complete cycles per second (Hz)
Wavelength (λ)
Distance between consecutive crests or troughs
Period (T)
Time for one complete cycle
Speed (v)
Rate of wave propagation through medium
Applications and Examples
Sound Engineering
Calculate sound propagation in different materials for acoustic design, noise control, and audio system optimization.
Telecommunications
Determine signal propagation speeds in cables, fibers, and wireless communications for timing and synchronization.
Seismology
Analyze earthquake wave speeds to determine earth structure, epicenter location, and magnitude estimation.