# High School Physics : Understanding Wavelength and Frequency

## Example Questions

### Example Question #11 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency

A certain type of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum has a period of . What is the wavelength of this radiation?

Explanation:

The velocity of a wave is equal to the product of the wavelength and frequency:

We can rearrange this formula to solve for the wavelength.

We also know that the period is the inverse of the frequency:

Substitute this into the equation for wavelength.

Now we can use our given values for the period and the velocity to solve for the wavelength.

### Example Question #21 : Waves, Sound, And Light

A certain type of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum has a period of . What is the wavelength of this radiation?

Explanation:

The velocity of a wave is equal to the product of the wavelength and frequency:

We can rearrange this formula to solve for the wavelength.

We also know that the period is the inverse of the frequency:

Substitute this into the equation for wavelength.

Now we can use our given values for the period and the velocity to solve for the wavelength.

### Example Question #13 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency

A certain type of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum has a period of . What is the frequency of this radiation?

Explanation:

The relationship between frequency and period is:

We are given the period in the question. Using this value, we can solve for the frequency.

### Example Question #14 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency

Two notes are played simultaneously. One of them has a period of  and the other has a period of . Which one has a longer wavelength?

They have the same wavelength

We need to know the frequency in order to solve

We need to know the period in order to solve

Explanation:

The relationship between frequency and wavelength determines the velocity:

The frequency is the inverse of the period. We can substitute this into the equation above.

In the question, both of the notes are played at the same time in the same location, so they both should have the same velocity. We can set the equation for each tone equal to each other.

We are told that . Substitute into our equation.

We can cancel the period from each side of the equation, leaving the relationship between the two wavelengths.

The wavelength of the first wave is equal to half the wavelength of the second. This means that the wavelength for the tone with a longer period will have a longer wavelength as well.

### Example Question #15 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency

What is the period of a wave with a frequency of ?

We need to know the wavelength in order to solve

Explanation:

The relationship between frequency and period is:

Period is simply the reciprocal of frequency.

### Example Question #16 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency

A cat meows with a frequency of . What is the wavelength of this sound?

There is insufficient information to solve

Explanation:

The relationship between velocity, wavelength, and frequency is:

We know the speed of sound and the frequency of the sound, allowing us to solve for the wavelength.

### Example Question #17 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency

A saxophone plays a note with a wavelength of . What is the frequency?

Explanation:

The relationship between wavelength, frequency, and velocity is:

We are given the speed of sound and the wavelength, allowing us to solve for the frequency.

### Example Question #18 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency

A clarinet plays a note with a frequency of . What is the wavelength of the sound?

Explanation:

The relationship between wavelength, frequency, and velocity is:

We are given the speed of sound and the frequency, allowing us to solve for the wavelength.

### Example Question #19 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency

A wave has a period of . What is the frequency of this wave?

Explanation:

Frequency is equal to the reciprocal of the period:

Given the period, we can invert it to find the frequency.

### Example Question #20 : Understanding Wavelength And Frequency

The period of a wave is . What is the frequency?