Summarizing Speed of Sound, Frequency, and Wavelength

Summary

The relationship of the speed of sound \({v}_{w}\), its frequency \(f\), and its wavelength \(\lambda \) is given by

\({v}_{\text{w}}=\mathrm{f\lambda },\)

which is the same relationship given for all waves.

In air, the speed of sound is related to air temperature \(T\) by

\({v}_{\text{w}}=(\text{331}\phantom{\rule{0.25em}{0ex}}\text{m/s})\sqrt{\cfrac{T}{\text{273}\phantom{\rule{0.25em}{0ex}}\text{K}}}.\)

\({v}_{\text{w}}\) is the same for all frequencies and wavelengths.

Glossary

pitch

the perception of the frequency of a sound