Progressive waves · TheLucidSTEM

Interactive Simulator · Progressive waves

Adjust the frequency and the wavelength and watch the wave travel. The read-out confirms v = fλ at every setting.

Mission Predict how the wave speed changes when the frequency is doubled at fixed wavelength. Streak 0Best 0

Frequency f 2 Hz

Wavelength λ 3 m

Amplitude A 3

Keeping the wavelength fixed, doubling the frequency changes the wave speed to:

frequency f2 Hz

wavelength λ3 m

speed v = fλ6 m/s

period T = 1/f0.50 s

amplitude A3

intensity I ∝ A²9 (relative)

The wave equation v = fλ ties f, λ and v together. Intensity is proportional to amplitude squared, so doubling A quadruples the intensity.