WAVE PROBLEMS
v=f 
v
d
t
1. A wave moving along a rope has a wavelength () of 1.2 m and a frequency (f) of
4.5 hz. How fast is the
 wave traveling along the rope?

2. A tuning fork produces a sound wave with a wavelength of 0.20 m and a velocity of
25.6 m/s. What is the frequency of the tuning fork?
3. The length of a sound wave produced at 256 Hz (middle c) is about 1.34 m at standard
room temperature and pressure. What is the speed of a sound wave?
4. When lightning strikes it can be seen almost instantaneously because light travels so
very fast. However, sound does not, so thunder is heard after the lightning. If lightning
strikes and thunder is heard 3 seconds later, how far away did the strike occur? Use the
speed of sound from #3.
5. An echo is the reflection of a sound wave. If I call my dog from my back door in
the direction of the barn behind my house, how much time will go by before I
hear the echo from my voice. The barn is 100 meters away. Use the speed of
sound from #3.
6. The speed of all electromagnetic waves in empty space is 3.00 X108 m/s.
Calculate the wavelength of electromagnetic waves emitted at the following
frequencies. (MHz stands for megahertz and mega means million)
a. Radio waves at 88MHz
b. Visible light at 6.0X1014 Hz
c. X rays at 3.0X1018 Hz