The wave equation

• Wave speed


  The speed at which the wave moves through the medium, the speed at which energy is transferred
• Calculating wave speed


  Wave speed (m/s) = Frequency (Hz) x Wavelength (m)
• The wave speed equation is not given in the exam, so it needs to be learned
• Calculating wavelength


  Wavelength (m) = Wave speed (m/s) / Frequency (Hz)
• Measuring speed of sound waves in air

  1. Person A holds cymbals, Person B times from seeing cymbals clash to hearing sound

  2. Divide distance travelled by time taken

  3. Repeat with multiple observers to reduce error
• Reaction time of observers and short time interval make it difficult to accurately measure sound speed
• Increasing distance between observers reduces the error in measuring sound speed