High School Physics : Understanding Wavelength and Frequency
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Physics
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency
A certain type of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum has a period of 
The velocity of a wave is equal to the product of the wavelength and frequency:
We can rearrange this formula to solve for the wavelength.
We also know that the period is the inverse of the frequency:
Substitute this into the equation for wavelength.
Now we can use our given values for the period and the velocity to solve for the wavelength.
Example Question #11 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency
A certain type of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum has a period of 
The velocity of a wave is equal to the product of the wavelength and frequency:
We can rearrange this formula to solve for the wavelength.
We also know that the period is the inverse of the frequency:
Substitute this into the equation for wavelength.
Now we can use our given values for the period and the velocity to solve for the wavelength.
Example Question #12 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency
A certain type of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum has a period of 
The relationship between frequency and period is:
We are given the period in the question. Using this value, we can solve for the frequency.
Example Question #13 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency
Two notes are played simultaneously. One of them has a period of 
We need to know the period in order to solve
They have the same wavelength
We need to know the frequency in order to solve
The relationship between frequency and wavelength determines the velocity:
The frequency is the inverse of the period. We can substitute this into the equation above.
In the question, both of the notes are played at the same time in the same location, so they both should have the same velocity. We can set the equation for each tone equal to each other.
We are told that 
We can cancel the period from each side of the equation, leaving the relationship between the two wavelengths.
The wavelength of the first wave is equal to half the wavelength of the second. This means that the wavelength for the tone with a longer period will have a longer wavelength as well.
Example Question #14 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency
What is the period of a wave with a frequency of 
We need to know the wavelength in order to solve
The relationship between frequency and period is:
Period is simply the reciprocal of frequency.
Example Question #15 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency
A cat meows with a frequency of 
There is insufficient information to solve
The relationship between velocity, wavelength, and frequency is:
We know the speed of sound and the frequency of the sound, allowing us to solve for the wavelength.
Example Question #16 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency
A saxophone plays a note with a wavelength of 
The relationship between wavelength, frequency, and velocity is:
We are given the speed of sound and the wavelength, allowing us to solve for the frequency.
Example Question #18 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency
A clarinet plays a note with a frequency of 
The relationship between wavelength, frequency, and velocity is:
We are given the speed of sound and the frequency, allowing us to solve for the wavelength.
Example Question #31 : Waves, Sound, And Light
A wave has a period of 
Frequency is equal to the reciprocal of the period:
Given the period, we can invert it to find the frequency.
Example Question #31 : Waves, Sound, And Light
The period of a wave is 
We need to know the wavelength in order to solve
We need to know the velocity of the wave in order to solve
Frequency is the reciprocal of period.
We are given the period, so we simply need to take the reciprocal to solve for the frequency.
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