`v = lambda / "T" `

Enter a value for all fields

The Velocity of a Wave calculator computes the speed of a wave based on the wavelength (λ) and the period (T).

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (λ) This is the wavelength
• (T) This is the period or time between wave pulses.

Wave Velocity(v):  The velocity is returned in meters per second.  However, this can be automatically converted to compatible units via the pull-down menu.

Related Calculators:

• Velocity of a wave based on wavelength and frequency
• Period and frequency of a periodic wave
• Velocity of a wave based on wavelength and period

The Math / Science

The wavelength is simply the distance a pulse is able to travel before we make the next pulse. The distance between pulses is λ, and the time between pulses is the period, T, so the speed of the wave is the distance divided by the time.  The formula for the velocity of a wave is:

                      v=λ/T

where:

• v = velocity of the wave
• λ = wavelength, distance between pulses
• T = period

References

19.4 Periodic waves by Benjamin Crowell, Light and Matter  licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license.