Catch a wave
Traveling wave explorer
Connect wavelength, frequency, wave speed, and particle motion on one traveling wave.
Traveling wave explorerTRY IT YOURSELF
Wave speed2 m/s
Period2 s
Wavelength4 m
Frequency0.5 Hz
Teal + amber · follow the changing valuesIdealized physics model
What if you changed…
Try a starting point
Track the orange particle. Does it travel along with the wave?
See the calculation
v = fλ · y = A sin(2π(x/λ − ft))
- Wave speed = frequency × wavelength = 0.5 × 4 = 2 m/s.
- Period = 1/f = 2 s.
- Particle displacement is y = 1 sin(2π(x/4 − 0.5t)).
What this model assumes
An ideal transverse sinusoidal wave. Frequency and wavelength are independently set; wave speed changes with their product.
Keep an eye on this
Wave speed is not the same as the up-and-down speed of an individual particle.
Understand the physics ↗A little question. A clearer picture.
Traveling wave explorer: common questions
Wondering about the why? Start here.
Does increasing amplitude make the wave faster?
Not in this ideal model. Speed is set by fλ; amplitude changes the size of the displacement.
Can frequency and wavelength vary independently in a real medium?
In a nondispersive medium with fixed wave speed, their product stays constant. This explorer allows both inputs so you can compare the resulting speeds.