To find the speed of a wave, we use a simple connection between three things: wavelength, frequency, and wave speed. The main formula we use is:

Wave Speed Formula:

$$v = f \cdot \lambda$$

Here’s what the letters mean:

• v = wave speed (how fast the wave moves, in meters per second, m/s)
• f = frequency (how often the wave moves, measured in hertz, Hz)
• λ (lambda) = wavelength (the distance between waves, measured in meters, m)

Steps to Calculate Wave Speed:

1. Find the Frequency:

   • Frequency tells us how many times a wave goes up and down in one second.
   • For example, if a wave goes up and down 10 times in a second, the frequency is 10 Hz.

2. Find the Wavelength:

   • Wavelength is the space between two wave peaks (or the low parts) of a wave.
   • If the distance between two peaks is 2 meters, then λ = 2 m.

3. Use the Formula:

   • Plug in the frequency and wavelength into the formula.
   • So, if f = 10 Hz and λ = 2 m:
   $$v = 10 \, \text{Hz} \cdot 2 \, \text{m} = 20 \, \text{m/s}$$

In Summary:

If the frequency is 10 Hz and the wavelength is 2 m, then the wave speed is 20 m/s.

Understanding how frequency and wavelength work together is important for figuring out wave speed!