Understanding the Relationship
* Frequency (f): How many waves pass a point in a second (measured in Hertz, Hz).
* Wavelength (λ): The distance between two corresponding points on consecutive waves (measured in meters, m).
* Speed of sound (v): The speed at which sound travels through a medium (approximately 343 m/s in air at room temperature).
The Formula
The relationship between frequency, wavelength, and the speed of sound is:
v = fλ
Solving for Wavelength
1. Rearrange the formula: λ = v / f
2. Plug in the values: λ = 343 m/s / 48 Hz
3. Calculate: λ ≈ 7.15 meters
Therefore, the wavelength of a 48Hz sound wave in air is approximately 7.15 meters.
Important Note: The speed of sound changes depending on the medium it travels through (e.g., air, water, solids). This will affect the wavelength for a given frequency.
