Waves and Velocity - AP Physics 1
Card 1 of 40
You and your friends are spending an afternoon at a lake. You are racing a friend across the lake while staying under the water. Being the faster swimmer, you are averaging a pace of about 
. Another friend on shore is cheering you on. If the average frequency of your friend's voice is 500Hz, and the wavelength of the sound in the water is 0.85m, what is the speed of the sound in the water?
You and your friends are spending an afternoon at a lake. You are racing a friend across the lake while staying under the water. Being the faster swimmer, you are averaging a pace of about
Tap to reveal answer
This problem emphasizes the importance of being able to sift through a problem statement and pick out only the information you need to solve the problem. We are given four values, but only need two of them. If you are unable to sift through the problem effectively, you are likely to get bogged down by all the details and waste time performing unneeded calculations.
To find the speed of sound in the water, we only need one equation:
We are given the frequency of the sound and its wavelength in water. It is important to note that the frequency of a sound does not change as it enters a different medium; only the velocity and wavelength do.
Plugging in our values, we get:
If you got the answer 400 m/s, watch your units! You probably divided 340 m/s by 0.85 m, which gives you units of 1/s. That is a unit of frequency, not velocity.
This problem emphasizes the importance of being able to sift through a problem statement and pick out only the information you need to solve the problem. We are given four values, but only need two of them. If you are unable to sift through the problem effectively, you are likely to get bogged down by all the details and waste time performing unneeded calculations.
To find the speed of sound in the water, we only need one equation:
We are given the frequency of the sound and its wavelength in water. It is important to note that the frequency of a sound does not change as it enters a different medium; only the velocity and wavelength do.
Plugging in our values, we get:
If you got the answer 400 m/s, watch your units! You probably divided 340 m/s by 0.85 m, which gives you units of 1/s. That is a unit of frequency, not velocity.
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One of your friends decides to do a massive cannonball into a swimming pool in an attempt to splash the lifeguard. Your friend hits the water 
from where the lifeguard is and the cannonball creates a series of waves. If one wave is created every 2 seconds, and there are four full waves between your friend and the lifeguard, what is the speed of the waves created?
One of your friends decides to do a massive cannonball into a swimming pool in an attempt to splash the lifeguard. Your friend hits the water
Tap to reveal answer
In order to determine the velocity of a wave, we need to know the frequency and wavelength. From the problem statement, we know that a wave is created every 2 seconds. This is the period of the wave; therefore we can say that the frequency is:
Now we just need the wavelength. We are told that there are four full waves over a distance of 5 meters.
We can use the following formula to get the velocity:
In order to determine the velocity of a wave, we need to know the frequency and wavelength. From the problem statement, we know that a wave is created every 2 seconds. This is the period of the wave; therefore we can say that the frequency is:
Now we just need the wavelength. We are told that there are four full waves over a distance of 5 meters.
We can use the following formula to get the velocity:
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A major earthquake about 600km off the coast of California occurs at 9:28 AM. If you are 800km from the epicenter and feel the earthquake at 10:43 AM, how fast are the waves traveling?
A major earthquake about 600km off the coast of California occurs at 9:28 AM. If you are 800km from the epicenter and feel the earthquake at 10:43 AM, how fast are the waves traveling?
Tap to reveal answer
To determine the velocity of the created waves, we need to know how quickly they cover a certain distance. The problem statement tells us that the covered distance is 800km. From the given time differences, we know that it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to cover that distance. We will need to convert this to seconds:
Now we can calculate the speed of the waves:
To determine the velocity of the created waves, we need to know how quickly they cover a certain distance. The problem statement tells us that the covered distance is 800km. From the given time differences, we know that it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to cover that distance. We will need to convert this to seconds:
Now we can calculate the speed of the waves:
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On a piano, the note known as "middle C" has a frequency of roughly 262 hertz.
The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was 
. At this temperature, sound travels at 
in air.
If Carol plays middle C on a piano at this temperature, what will the sound's wavelength be?
On a piano, the note known as "middle C" has a frequency of roughly 262 hertz.
The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was
If Carol plays middle C on a piano at this temperature, what will the sound's wavelength be?
Tap to reveal answer
For any wave,
We know that the frequency of middle C is 262 hertz, and we also know that the speed of sound is 
. Therefore:
Solving for wavelength yields
For any wave,
We know that the frequency of middle C is 262 hertz, and we also know that the speed of sound is
Solving for wavelength yields
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A light wave has a wavelength of 
. What is its frequency?
A light wave has a wavelength of
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The equation relaing velocity, wavelength, and frequency is:
.
Solving for frequency,
The equation relaing velocity, wavelength, and frequency is:
Solving for frequency,
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Determine the wavelength of a wave traveling through a material with tension 10N, a linear mass density of 
, and frequency 10Hz.
Determine the wavelength of a wave traveling through a material with tension 10N, a linear mass density of
Tap to reveal answer
We need to utilize two equations for this question. The first of which is:
Here, 
is wave speed, 
is tension force of the material, and 
is linear density. The othe equation we need to use is:
Here, 
is wave speed, 
is wavelength and 
is frequency.
In our case:
plug in known values and solve for wave speed.
Solve the second equation for 
.
Plug in known values and solve for wavelength.
We need to utilize two equations for this question. The first of which is:
Here,
Here,
In our case:
plug in known values and solve for wave speed.
Solve the second equation for
Plug in known values and solve for wavelength.
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A wave emitter is set to a frequency of 
. It is found that there is 
between anti-nodes of the waves created by this instrument. What is the speed of the waves as measured by this experiment?
A wave emitter is set to a frequency of
Tap to reveal answer
The distance between each anti-node in a standing wave is only half a wavelength, so we need to multiply the distance measured between anti-nodes by 2. Multiply the wavelength by the frequency to get the speed of the wave.
We need to remember to convert our centimeters to meters and our megaHertz to Hertz so the units work out:
The distance between each anti-node in a standing wave is only half a wavelength, so we need to multiply the distance measured between anti-nodes by 2. Multiply the wavelength by the frequency to get the speed of the wave.
We need to remember to convert our centimeters to meters and our megaHertz to Hertz so the units work out:
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If we wanted to double wave velocity, but could only change frequency and wavelength by the same factor, by what factor would we have to change both frequency and wavelength?
If we wanted to double wave velocity, but could only change frequency and wavelength by the same factor, by what factor would we have to change both frequency and wavelength?
Tap to reveal answer
Wave speed 
is related to wavelength and frequency by:
, where 
is wavelength and 
is frequency.
If we wanted to change 
by 2, and change both 
and 
by the same factor 
, we could set this up as:
If we isolated just the factors by which we're changing the wave speed,
We'd have to change both wavelength and frequency by 
Wave speed
If we wanted to change
If we isolated just the factors by which we're changing the wave speed,
We'd have to change both wavelength and frequency by
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What is the speed of light when passed through glass with an index of refraction of 2?
What is the speed of light when passed through glass with an index of refraction of 2?
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The equation for the speed of light through materials of different indices of refraction is given by the following equation:
Solve for velocity:
The equation for the speed of light through materials of different indices of refraction is given by the following equation:
Solve for velocity:
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waves are hitting the side of the pier in a regular fashion. 
waves hit the pier during 
, and the waves are 
between crests, calculate the velocity 
of the waves.
waves are hitting the side of the pier in a regular fashion.
Tap to reveal answer
We can calculate the velocity 
of a wave if we know the wavelength 
and the frequency 
of the wave by the following equation,
We are told 
, and can calculate the frequency
Therefore, we can find the velocity 
of the waves,
We can calculate the velocity
We are told
Therefore, we can find the velocity
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You and your friends are spending an afternoon at a lake. You are racing a friend across the lake while staying under the water. Being the faster swimmer, you are averaging a pace of about . Another friend on shore is cheering you on. If the average frequency of your friend's voice is 500Hz, and the wavelength of the sound in the water is 0.85m, what is the speed of the sound in the water?
You and your friends are spending an afternoon at a lake. You are racing a friend across the lake while staying under the water. Being the faster swimmer, you are averaging a pace of about
Tap to reveal answer
This problem emphasizes the importance of being able to sift through a problem statement and pick out only the information you need to solve the problem. We are given four values, but only need two of them. If you are unable to sift through the problem effectively, you are likely to get bogged down by all the details and waste time performing unneeded calculations.
To find the speed of sound in the water, we only need one equation:
We are given the frequency of the sound and its wavelength in water. It is important to note that the frequency of a sound does not change as it enters a different medium; only the velocity and wavelength do.
Plugging in our values, we get:
If you got the answer 400 m/s, watch your units! You probably divided 340 m/s by 0.85 m, which gives you units of 1/s. That is a unit of frequency, not velocity.
This problem emphasizes the importance of being able to sift through a problem statement and pick out only the information you need to solve the problem. We are given four values, but only need two of them. If you are unable to sift through the problem effectively, you are likely to get bogged down by all the details and waste time performing unneeded calculations.
To find the speed of sound in the water, we only need one equation:
We are given the frequency of the sound and its wavelength in water. It is important to note that the frequency of a sound does not change as it enters a different medium; only the velocity and wavelength do.
Plugging in our values, we get:
If you got the answer 400 m/s, watch your units! You probably divided 340 m/s by 0.85 m, which gives you units of 1/s. That is a unit of frequency, not velocity.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
One of your friends decides to do a massive cannonball into a swimming pool in an attempt to splash the lifeguard. Your friend hits the water from where the lifeguard is and the cannonball creates a series of waves. If one wave is created every 2 seconds, and there are four full waves between your friend and the lifeguard, what is the speed of the waves created?
One of your friends decides to do a massive cannonball into a swimming pool in an attempt to splash the lifeguard. Your friend hits the water
Tap to reveal answer
In order to determine the velocity of a wave, we need to know the frequency and wavelength. From the problem statement, we know that a wave is created every 2 seconds. This is the period of the wave; therefore we can say that the frequency is:
Now we just need the wavelength. We are told that there are four full waves over a distance of 5 meters.
We can use the following formula to get the velocity:
In order to determine the velocity of a wave, we need to know the frequency and wavelength. From the problem statement, we know that a wave is created every 2 seconds. This is the period of the wave; therefore we can say that the frequency is:
Now we just need the wavelength. We are told that there are four full waves over a distance of 5 meters.
We can use the following formula to get the velocity:
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A major earthquake about 600km off the coast of California occurs at 9:28 AM. If you are 800km from the epicenter and feel the earthquake at 10:43 AM, how fast are the waves traveling?
A major earthquake about 600km off the coast of California occurs at 9:28 AM. If you are 800km from the epicenter and feel the earthquake at 10:43 AM, how fast are the waves traveling?
Tap to reveal answer
To determine the velocity of the created waves, we need to know how quickly they cover a certain distance. The problem statement tells us that the covered distance is 800km. From the given time differences, we know that it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to cover that distance. We will need to convert this to seconds:
Now we can calculate the speed of the waves:
To determine the velocity of the created waves, we need to know how quickly they cover a certain distance. The problem statement tells us that the covered distance is 800km. From the given time differences, we know that it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to cover that distance. We will need to convert this to seconds:
Now we can calculate the speed of the waves:
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On a piano, the note known as "middle C" has a frequency of roughly 262 hertz.
The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was . At this temperature, sound travels at in air.
If Carol plays middle C on a piano at this temperature, what will the sound's wavelength be?
On a piano, the note known as "middle C" has a frequency of roughly 262 hertz.
The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was
If Carol plays middle C on a piano at this temperature, what will the sound's wavelength be?
Tap to reveal answer
For any wave,
We know that the frequency of middle C is 262 hertz, and we also know that the speed of sound is . Therefore:
Solving for wavelength yields
For any wave,
We know that the frequency of middle C is 262 hertz, and we also know that the speed of sound is
Solving for wavelength yields
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A light wave has a wavelength of . What is its frequency?
A light wave has a wavelength of
Tap to reveal answer
The equation relaing velocity, wavelength, and frequency is:
.
Solving for frequency,
The equation relaing velocity, wavelength, and frequency is:
Solving for frequency,
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Determine the wavelength of a wave traveling through a material with tension 10N, a linear mass density of , and frequency 10Hz.
Determine the wavelength of a wave traveling through a material with tension 10N, a linear mass density of
Tap to reveal answer
We need to utilize two equations for this question. The first of which is:
Here, is wave speed, is tension force of the material, and is linear density. The othe equation we need to use is:
Here, is wave speed, is wavelength and is frequency.
In our case:
plug in known values and solve for wave speed.
Solve the second equation for .
Plug in known values and solve for wavelength.
We need to utilize two equations for this question. The first of which is:
Here,
Here,
In our case:
plug in known values and solve for wave speed.
Solve the second equation for
Plug in known values and solve for wavelength.
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A wave emitter is set to a frequency of . It is found that there is between anti-nodes of the waves created by this instrument. What is the speed of the waves as measured by this experiment?
A wave emitter is set to a frequency of
Tap to reveal answer
The distance between each anti-node in a standing wave is only half a wavelength, so we need to multiply the distance measured between anti-nodes by 2. Multiply the wavelength by the frequency to get the speed of the wave.
We need to remember to convert our centimeters to meters and our megaHertz to Hertz so the units work out:
The distance between each anti-node in a standing wave is only half a wavelength, so we need to multiply the distance measured between anti-nodes by 2. Multiply the wavelength by the frequency to get the speed of the wave.
We need to remember to convert our centimeters to meters and our megaHertz to Hertz so the units work out:
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If we wanted to double wave velocity, but could only change frequency and wavelength by the same factor, by what factor would we have to change both frequency and wavelength?
If we wanted to double wave velocity, but could only change frequency and wavelength by the same factor, by what factor would we have to change both frequency and wavelength?
Tap to reveal answer
Wave speed is related to wavelength and frequency by:
, where is wavelength and is frequency.
If we wanted to change by 2, and change both and by the same factor , we could set this up as:
If we isolated just the factors by which we're changing the wave speed,
We'd have to change both wavelength and frequency by
Wave speed
If we wanted to change
If we isolated just the factors by which we're changing the wave speed,
We'd have to change both wavelength and frequency by
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What is the speed of light when passed through glass with an index of refraction of 2?
What is the speed of light when passed through glass with an index of refraction of 2?
Tap to reveal answer
The equation for the speed of light through materials of different indices of refraction is given by the following equation:
Solve for velocity:
The equation for the speed of light through materials of different indices of refraction is given by the following equation:
Solve for velocity:
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waves are hitting the side of the pier in a regular fashion. waves hit the pier during , and the waves are between crests, calculate the velocity of the waves.
waves are hitting the side of the pier in a regular fashion.
Tap to reveal answer
We can calculate the velocity of a wave if we know the wavelength and the frequency of the wave by the following equation,
We are told , and can calculate the frequency
Therefore, we can find the velocity of the waves,
We can calculate the velocity
We are told
Therefore, we can find the velocity
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