If the wave speed is 300 m/s and the wavelength is 3 m, what is the frequency?

If the wave speed is 300 m/s and the wavelength is 3 m, what is the frequency?

• A. 300 Hz
• B. 100 Hz
• C. 0.01 Hz
• D. 3 Hz

Answer: (B)

The relationship v = f λ connects how fast a wave travels with how often its cycles occur and how long each cycle is. So to find the frequency, use f = v/λ. With a speed of 300 m/s and a wavelength of 3 m, the frequency is 300 / 3 = 100 s⁻¹, i.e., 100 Hz. This is the only value that matches both the given speed and wavelength. For example, 300 Hz would imply a wavelength of 1 m, and 0.01 Hz would require a wavelength of 30,000 m, which don’t fit the given numbers.

The relationship v = f λ connects how fast a wave travels with how often its cycles occur and how long each cycle is. So to find the frequency, use f = v/λ. With a speed of 300 m/s and a wavelength of 3 m, the frequency is 300 / 3 = 100 s⁻¹, i.e., 100 Hz. This is the only value that matches both the given speed and wavelength. For example, 300 Hz would imply a wavelength of 1 m, and 0.01 Hz would require a wavelength of 30,000 m, which don’t fit the given numbers.