Measuring Wave Speed Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What is the equation linking wave speed, distance and time?

$v = x \div t$ — wave speed (m/s) = distance (m) ÷ time (s).

How can you measure the speed of sound in air?

Measure a long distance (e.g. 100 m) between a sound source and an observer, time how long the sound takes to travel it, then use speed = distance ÷ time.

How can you measure the speed of ripples in a ripple tank by timing?

Time how long one wavefront takes to travel a measured distance across the tank, then use wave speed = distance ÷ time.

True or false? Measuring the wavelength of ripples on its own is enough to find their wave speed.

False. You also need a time: use speed = distance ÷ time, or measure the frequency and use $v = f \times \lambda$.