Which formula is used to calculate wave speed?

The formula used to calculate wave speed is derived from the relationship between frequency and wavelength. In this context, wave speed is defined as the distance a wave travels in a given amount of time.

When you have a wave with a frequency (the number of cycles per second) and wavelength (the distance between successive crests or troughs), the speed of the wave can be determined by multiplying these two quantities together. This formula demonstrates that the speed of a wave is directly proportional to both the frequency and the wavelength. If the frequency increases, either the wavelength must decrease for the speed to remain constant, or the speed increases, reflecting a change in one of those factors.

This relationship is essential in various fields of science, including physics and engineering, and is fundamental in understanding wave dynamics.

In contrast, the other formulas presented do not correctly represent the relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength, focusing instead on combinations of these elements that do not yield the correct product for wave speed.