A sound wave has a frequency of 500 Hz. The sound wave has a wavelength of 0.34 m in air. Calculate the speed of the sound wave in air?

As we know so far, c = f / λ. This equation comes from a much simpler version of speed = distance/ time. As the λ  (with units "m") can be seen as distance and the frequency (with units "1/s") can be seen as time. So by substituting the wave measurements into the speed = distance/ time formula, you can understand the c = f / λ equation a lot better. 

Now lets make f= 500 Hz and λ = 0.34

So c= 500/ 0.34

Therefore c = 170 (m/s)

RA
Answered by Reni A. Physics tutor

17904 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A cup of boiling water (100 degrees C) (0.2kg) transfers 20 000J of heat to its surrounding in 1 hour. What temperature is the water in the kettle after 1 hour?


A boy kicks a ball and it is accelerated uniformly from rest so that after 10 seconds it has achieved a speed of 15m/s. Find the ball's acceleration.


Why is the sky blue?


Give an example of a transverse and longitudinal wave.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning