Wave Calculation Worksheet
Enter any two values to calculate the third. Leave the field you want to calculate empty.
Understanding the Wave Equation
In physics, waves are a fundamental concept used to describe the transfer of energy. From the ripples in a pond to light from the sun, waves are all around us. The relationship between the primary properties of a wave—its speed, frequency, and wavelength—is described by a simple but powerful formula known as the wave equation.
The core equation is:
Wave Speed (v) = Frequency (f) × Wavelength (λ)
This calculator allows you to explore this relationship by calculating any one of these three variables, provided you know the other two.
- Wave Speed (v): This is how fast the wave propagates through a medium. It is measured in meters per second (m/s). The speed of a wave can vary greatly depending on the medium it's traveling through (e.g., sound travels faster in water than in air).
- Frequency (f): This represents the number of complete wave cycles (oscillations) that pass a given point per second. The unit for frequency is Hertz (Hz), where 1 Hz equals one cycle per second.
- Wavelength (λ): This is the spatial period of the wave—the distance over which the wave's shape repeats. It is the distance between consecutive corresponding points of the same phase, such as two adjacent crests or troughs. Wavelength is measured in meters (m).
Example Calculation
Let's say you want to find the wavelength of a sound wave traveling through air. You know the standard speed of sound in air is approximately 343 m/s, and you are listening to a tone with a frequency of 500 Hz.
- Enter 343 into the "Wave Speed (v)" field.
- Enter 500 into the "Frequency (f)" field.
- Leave the "Wavelength (λ)" field empty.
- Click the "Calculate" button.
The calculator will rearrange the formula to λ = v / f and compute the result:
Wavelength (λ) = 343 m/s / 500 Hz = 0.686 m
The result will show that the wavelength of this sound wave is 0.686 meters, or 68.6 centimeters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What happens if I enter all three values?
A: The calculator is designed to work when exactly two fields are filled. If you provide all three values, it will show an error message asking you to clear one field before calculating.
Q: Can I use different units, like km/s or MHz?
A: This calculator is standardized to use base SI units: meters per second (m/s), Hertz (Hz), and meters (m). For accurate results, you must convert your values to these units before entering them. For example, convert 2 MHz to 2,000,000 Hz.
Q: Why is the speed of light often used in wave calculations?
A: Light is an electromagnetic wave, and its speed in a vacuum (c ≈ 299,792,458 m/s) is a fundamental physical constant. This value is crucial for calculations involving radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, and all other forms of electromagnetic radiation.