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In What Ways Can Wave Speed Vary in Different Mediums?

Wave speed can change a lot based on what it's moving through. Here are some key reasons why it varies:

  • Density: In thicker things, like water, sound travels faster than it does in air.

  • Elasticity: When a material is more stretchy, waves can move through it faster. For example, sound moves quickly in steel but is slower in rubber.

  • Temperature: For sounds, if things get hotter, they can speed up. This is because the tiny particles are moving around more.

To sum it up, there's an easy formula to remember:

Wave Speed = Wavelength × Frequency

This means if one part changes, then the wave speed changes too!

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In What Ways Can Wave Speed Vary in Different Mediums?

Wave speed can change a lot based on what it's moving through. Here are some key reasons why it varies:

  • Density: In thicker things, like water, sound travels faster than it does in air.

  • Elasticity: When a material is more stretchy, waves can move through it faster. For example, sound moves quickly in steel but is slower in rubber.

  • Temperature: For sounds, if things get hotter, they can speed up. This is because the tiny particles are moving around more.

To sum it up, there's an easy formula to remember:

Wave Speed = Wavelength × Frequency

This means if one part changes, then the wave speed changes too!

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