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Home Minds On Sounds Waves Mission SM2 Characteristics of Sound Waves Help Help 6

Mission SM2 Characteristics of Sound Waves

The Question

Altering the _______ will be sure to result in an alteration of the speed of the sound wave. List all that apply ... .

Physics Rules

Factors Affecting Wave Speed:
The speed of a wave is dependent upon the properties of the medium through which the wave is moving. An alteration in the properties of the medium will result in a change in the speed at which the wave moves through that medium.

Don't be Fooled

The speed of any wave is calculated as the product of frequency and wavelength. This gives many students the wrong impression that the speed of a wave depends upon frequency and wavelength. But don't be fooled! The speed of a wave is independent of its frequency and wavelength. A change in the frequency value will not result in a change in the speed value. Rather, changing frequency will result in a change in the wavelength in such a manner that the speed value turns out the same. While the speed can be calculated from knowledge of the frequency and wavelength, its value is unaffected by changes in frequency and wavelength. As discussed in the Know the Law section, the speed of a wave is dependent upon the properties of the medium through which it is traveling. Only by altering the properties of the medium can the speed of the wave be altered.

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