If the frequency of a traveling wave train is increased by a factor of three in a medium where the speed is constant,which of the following is the result?
A)amplitude is one third as big
B)amplitude is tripled
C)wavelength is one third as big
D)wavelength is tripled

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The speed of the wave remains constant in the medium. Speed = frequency x wavelength. If frequency is increased by a factor of 3, then for the speed to remain constant, the wavelength has to decrease by a factor of 1/3. So, the wavelength is one third as big. This means that the wave is more "compressed" and has more cycles within the same distance. The amplitude of the wave is not affected by changes in frequency or wavelength, so it remains the same.

If the Frequency of a Traveling Wave Train Is Increased