Another property of longitudinal waves is frequency. Just as in transverse waves, frequency is the number of wave cycles that pass a fixed point in a certain amount of time. Frequency is usually measured in hertz (Hz), with 1 hertz being equivalent to 1 wave cycle per second.
For example, if Eli creates a wave in a spring toy so that 2 compressions pass a point every second, the frequency is 2 hertz.
If Eli creates a wave so that 6 compressions pass a point every 2 seconds, what is the frequency of the wave?
Hz
1 answer
The frequency of the wave is still 2 hertz, because 6 compressions pass a point every 2 seconds, which is equivalent to 3 compressions passing a point every second.
1 answer