Which describes the relationship between the frequency, wavelength, and speed of a wave as the wave travels through different media?

Question

As speed changes, wavelength changes and frequency remains constant.
As speed changes, frequency changes and wavelength remains constant.
As speed changes, wavelength and frequency change.
As speed changes, wavelength and frequency remain constant.

Answer 1

The correct description of the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and speed of a wave as it travels through different media is:

As speed changes, wavelength changes and frequency remains constant.

This is because the frequency of a wave is determined by the source of the wave and remains constant when the wave transitions between different media. However, the speed of the wave can change depending on the medium, which in turn affects the wavelength according to the wave equation:

\[ v = f \lambda \]

where \( v \) is the speed of the wave, \( f \) is the frequency, and \( \lambda \) is the wavelength. If the speed changes and the frequency remains constant, then the wavelength must change.