Wave Velocity Calculator
Calculate wave velocity from wave properties and medium characteristics
Calculate Wave Velocity
Number of wave cycles per second
Distance between two consecutive wave peaks
Wave Velocity Results
Formula used: v = f × λ
Wave Analysis
Example Calculation
Wave Properties Example
Given: Frequency = 15 Hz, Wavelength = 0.5 m
Formula: v = f × λ
Calculation
v = 15 Hz × 0.5 m
v = 7.5 m/s
Low-velocity wave, likely in a specialized medium
Medium Properties Example
Steel: K = 160 GPa, ρ = 7850 kg/m³
v = √(160×10⁹ / 7850) = √(2.04×10⁷)
v ≈ 4,517 m/s
High velocity in steel - excellent for sound transmission
Wave Velocity Formulas
Wave Equation
v = f × λ
Velocity = Frequency × Wavelength
Period Form
v = λ / T
Velocity = Wavelength / Period
Medium Properties
v = √(K/ρ)
Velocity = √(Bulk Modulus / Density)
Relationships
f = 1/T, k = 1/λ
Frequency ↔ Period, Wavenumber ↔ Wavelength
Material Properties
Steel
v ≈ 4,500 m/s
K = 160 GPa, ρ = 7850 kg/m³
Aluminum
v ≈ 5,100 m/s
K = 70 GPa, ρ = 2700 kg/m³
Water
v ≈ 1,480 m/s
K = 2.2 GPa, ρ = 1000 kg/m³
Air (20°C)
v ≈ 343 m/s
K = 142 kPa, ρ = 1.2 kg/m³
Glass
v ≈ 3,850 m/s
K = 37 GPa, ρ = 2500 kg/m³
Applications
Ultrasonic Testing
Non-destructive material inspection
Seismic Analysis
Earth structure and earthquake studies
Medical Imaging
Ultrasound and acoustic diagnostics
Material Science
Property measurement and analysis
Understanding Wave Velocity
What is Wave Velocity?
Wave velocity is the speed at which a wave propagates through a medium. Unlike wave speed (which can refer to various types of speeds), wave velocity specifically refers to the rate of wave propagation and is fundamentally determined by the medium's properties.
Medium Dependence
- •Density (ρ): Higher density generally reduces velocity
- •Bulk Modulus (K): Higher stiffness increases velocity
- •Temperature: Affects density and elastic properties
Velocity Relationships
Basic Wave Equation
v = f × λ
Relates frequency and wavelength
Medium Properties
v = √(K/ρ)
For bulk longitudinal waves
Electromagnetic Waves
v = c/n
Speed of light divided by refractive index
Applications and Examples
Ultrasonic Testing
Precise velocity measurements in materials enable detection of flaws, cracks, and material property variations in industrial applications.
Seismology
P-wave and S-wave velocities in different geological layers help determine earth structure and locate earthquake epicenters.
Medical Ultrasound
Different tissues have characteristic acoustic velocities, enabling medical imaging and diagnostic applications through echo timing.