Question

A student investigates the four waves shown.









Using the information in the models, which wave has the highest frequency?


Wave 1


Wave 2


Wave 3


Wave 4

Answer 1

I can’t see the pictures you mean. Could you either attach the image of the four waves or tell me how many complete cycles each wave shows in the same horizontal length (or give their wavelengths or periods)?

How to tell which has the highest frequency:
- Count the number of complete cycles (peaks or troughs) in the same length — the one with the most cycles has the highest frequency.
- Or compare wavelengths: the shortest wavelength (λ) means the highest frequency, since f = v/λ (for the same wave speed v).
- Or compare periods: the smallest period T gives the highest frequency, since f = 1/T.

If you send the picture or the counts/wavelengths/periods, I’ll tell you which wave (1–4) has the highest frequency.