Let’s assume that you move one end of the rope up and down to generate a wave in the string. How long will it take for the wave to travel from one end to another? It depends on the speed of the wave.
What Is the Speed of a Wave?
Wave speed is the distance the wave travels in a given amount of time, such as the number of meters it travels per second. The equation that represents the wave speed is given as follows:
Sometimes, we encounter situations in which the wave meets the end of a medium and also the presence of a different medium. To better understand this, let us take the example of a slinky. The wave introduced by a person into the slinky will travel through the slinky and eventually reaches the end of the slinky and the presence of the hand of a second person. One behavior that waves undergo at the end of the medium is reflection. When a wave undergoes reflection, it merely remains in the medium and only reverses its direction of travel. The slinky wave has traveled double its distance. This reflection phenomenon of waves is commonly observed in sound waves. When you let out a loud cry within a canyon, you often hear the echo of the holler. The sound waves travel through the medium; in this case, the air and reflect off the canyon wall and return to the origin of the sound (you). The result is that you hear the echo of your holler. A classic problem about the reflection of the wave is as follows:
Example 1: Deepa stands 170 meters away from a steep canyon wall. She shouts and hears her echo a second later. What is the speed of the wave?
Solution:
In this case, the speed of the wave is 340 m/s because the distance travelled by the sound wave in 1 second is equivalent to 170 meters down to the canyon wall plus 170 meters back from the canyon wall.
And, we know that,
Substituting the value, we get:
Dependance on the Medium
The speed of most waves depends on the medium in which it travels. Generally, waves travel fastest through solids and slowest through gases. This is because particles are closest together in solids and farthest apart in gases. When the particles are farther apart, it takes longer for the energy distribution to pass from one particle to another through the medium.
Suggested Reading
| Interference of Waves | Wave Motion |
Watch the video and learn more about the velocity of the wave on a string
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is a wave?
State true or false: Wave involves a repetitive and periodic movement.
True.
Define wave speed.
Give the equation that represents the wave speed.
Define period of a wave.
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