Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
This equation relates speed, wavelength, and period in waves. It states that speed equals wavelength divided by period.
Related terms
Wave Velocity: Wave velocity refers to the speed and direction at which a wave propagates through a medium.
Frequency-Wavelength Relationship: The frequency of a wave is inversely proportional to its wavelength. As the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa.
Doppler Effect: The Doppler effect describes how the observed frequency of a wave changes when there is relative motion between the source of the wave and an observer.