The Beauty of Sound Waves: Exploring Frequency, Wavelength, and Speed
How can we calculate the wavelength of a sound wave with a frequency of 440 Hz using the speed of sound at 343 m/s?
a) 343 / 440
b) 440 / 343
c) 343 / 2 * 440
d) 343 / 2 / 440
Final answer: a) 343 / 440
Sound waves are fascinating phenomena that travel through various mediums, creating beautiful melodies and harmonies. Understanding the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and speed is key to appreciating the magic of sound.
When we encounter a question like this, where we are given the frequency of a sound wave and the speed of sound, we can use the formula:
λ = speed / frequency
In this case, the frequency is 440 Hz and the speed of sound is 343 m/s. By substituting these values into the formula, we can calculate the wavelength:
λ = 343 m/s / 440 Hz
By dividing the speed by the frequency, we find that the wavelength of a sound wave with a frequency of 440 Hz is approximately 0.78 meters.
Therefore, the correct calculation to find the wavelength in this scenario is option (a) 343 / 440.