# Wave Speed Formula

## Wave Speed Formula Physics | Formula for Wave Speed with Examples

A wave is the propagation of disturbance that transfers energy through matter or vacuum. A wave is characterized by its wavelength, and/or frequency.
Frequency of waves is the number of waves passing past a point in unit time (second) and time period of the wave is its reciprocal. Wavelength is the distance travelled by the wave in one time period.
The speed of a wave is related to its wavelength and frequency as
$v = \nu \,\lambda$
Where, v is the velocity of the wave, $\nu$ is the frequency of the wave and $\lambda$, its wavelength.
Example:
What is the speed of a wave that has a wavelength of 0.5 m and frequency 600 Hz?
Solution:
$\lambda$= 0.5 m, $\nu$= 600 Hz, v =?
v = $\nu$×$\lambda$ = 600 × 0.5 = 300 m/s

Question:
A wave travels with a speed v in a medium. If the wave had half the wavelength and twice the frequency, its speed would have been:
Options:
(a) v
(b) 2 v
(c) v/2
(d) 4 v
Answer: (a)