What is the formula for calculating wave speed?

The correct formula for calculating wave speed is found in the relationship between wave speed (v), frequency (f), and wavelength (λ). The wave speed is determined by multiplying the frequency of the wave by its wavelength, meaning if you know the frequency and the wavelength, you can calculate the speed at which the wave travels through a medium.

In this context, frequency (measured in hertz) represents the number of cycles of the wave that pass a point in one second, while wavelength (measured in meters) is the distance between two consecutive points in phase on the wave (such as crest to crest or trough to trough). The multiplication signifies that as the frequency increases, the wave speed increases proportionately, provided the wavelength remains constant, and vice versa.

Thus, the relationship is succinctly captured by the formula v = f × λ, showcasing how these three characteristics of a wave are interconnected.