A sound wave is a longitudinal mechanical wave that follows the wave equation. Use the wave equation to solve these problems on your own. Come back here to check your work.
The Wave Equation
v=λf=λT
Problem | Picture | Given/Find | Equation | Solution |
---|---|---|---|---|
You blow across a soda bottle and the sound emitted has a frequency of 255 Hz. If the sound is moving through air at room temperature, what is the wavelength of that sound wave? | v=343 m/s f=255 Hz λ=? m |
v=λf | 343 m/s=λ(255 Hz) λ=343 m/s255 Hz λ=1.34 m |
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A violin plays a note with a frequency of 415.3 Hz with a wavelength of 0.831 m. What is the speed of that sound wave? | v=? m/s f=415.3 Hz λ=0.831 m |
v=λf | v=(0.831 m)(415.3 Hz) v=345 m/s |
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A sound wave passing through wood (speed of sound in wood is 3960 m/s) moves with a wavelength of 9.00 m. What is the frequency of the sound created? | v=3960 m/s f=? Hz λ=9.00 m |
v=λf | 3960 m/s=1.74×106 m(f) f=3960 m/s9.00 m f=440. Hz |
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The highest note on a piano has a frequency of 4186 Hz. What is the wavelength of that note (assume in room temperature air)? | v=343 m/s f=4186 Hz λ=? m |
v=λf | 343 m/s=λ(4186 Hz) λ=343 m/s4186 Hz λ=0.08194 m |