Question

Define wave frequency with example.

Answer 1

We need to discuss the wave, wave cycle, and frequency and we are going to learn about wave frequency for example. A wave is a disturbance that transmits through a medium. A wave period is the time required for completing one complete wave cycle. We are going to discuss the relation between a wave period and wave frequency.

Complete step-by-step solution:
The wave frequency is defined as the number of waves passing through the fixed point in a time. The SI unit of wave frequency is hertz$\left( {Hz} \right)$.
There is a different type of wave According to their particle nature and direction. Two kinds of waves are longitudinal waves and transverse waves. waves are commonly transmitted through a medium like water and sound waves through the air.
When the light wave is passed through any medium, its frequency is given by
$f = \dfrac{c}{\lambda }$
Where,$c$-speed of light in $\dfrac{m}{s}$
$\lambda$-wavelength of light wave in $nm$
In terms of angular frequency, the frequency is given by
$f = \dfrac{\omega }{{2\pi }}$
Where,$\omega$- angular frequency in $\dfrac{{rad}}{s}$
For example, The wavelength$\left( \lambda \right)$ of green color in the visible spectrum is $550nm$, the velocity of light $c = 3.8 \times {10^8}\dfrac{m}{s}$, and the frequency is calculated by the formula is given by
$f = \dfrac{c}{\lambda }$
Substituting the known values in the above formula,
$f = \dfrac{{3.8 \times {{10}^8}}}{{550 \times {{10}^{ - 9}}}}$
$f = 6.909 \times {10^{14}}Hz$
Therefore the frequency of the green light in the visible spectrum is$f = 6.909 \times {10^{14}}Hz$

Note: When the wave strikes an obstacle, it is reflected and it is called reflection. If the wave transmits through, it bends and this phenomenon is called Refraction. In case of diffraction, waves bend in obstacles and spread out. When one or more waves transmit in the same direction, it may be subjected to interference and this phenomenon is called Interference of waves.