Lesson 06
Wave speed, wavelength, and interference
Waves transport energy through a medium or field. The core relationship v = f lambda links the speed, frequency, and wavelength, while interference tells us what happens when two waves overlap.
Wave relationships
Wave speed
v = f lambda
Speed, frequency, wavelength
Period
T = 1 / f
Time per cycle
Angular frequency
omega = 2 pi f
Connects oscillation and wave motion
Interference patterns
- Constructive interference happens when displacements add and the amplitude grows.
- Destructive interference happens when one displacement cancels the other.
- Superposition says the total displacement is the sum of the individual displacements.
Interactive lab
Wave superposition
Tune the two waves and watch how their overlap changes from constructive to destructive interference.
Wave 1
Wave 2
Constructive
Resultant amplitude
2.00 m
Phase difference
0 deg
Wave speed
5.0 m/s
Wavelength
5.00 m
Next step
Lock in the lesson
Mark this lesson complete when the main idea feels clear, then move straight into practice while it is fresh.
Current mastery
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Quick reference
- Speed relation
- v = f lambda
- Constructive
- Amplitudes reinforce
- Destructive
- Amplitudes cancel