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How to Determine the Velocity and Direction of a Wave

Determining the direction and velocity of a wave is done through a simple computation known as the wave velocity equation. The wave velocity equation is applied to fields such as acoustics, electromagnetics and fluid dynamics in measuring sound, light and water waves respectively. In each of these cases waves travel in all directions from the origin, as long as there is nothing to impede progress. The term "velocity" implies both speed and change in position, meaning that the wave travels at that speed in all directions from the point of origin, such as a radio station or seismic event.

Instructions

- 1
  Establish the wavelength. Half of the equation for finding velocity relies on the wavelength. The wavelength is the actual space between the peaks in the wave itself. The waves must also begin at a certain location and travel outward. For example assume that the length of a given wave from the origin is three meters.
- 2
  Determine the frequency. Frequency is how often the wave occurs. In the case of an AM radio station the frequency is measured in kilohertz, while FM radio stations are measured in megahertz. For example, AM station 950 has a frequency of 950 kilohertz, meaning the wave occurs 950,000 times per second.
- 3
  Multiply the wavelength by the frequency. This simple equation determines the velocity of the wave. For example: a wave length of three meters and a frequency of 950 kilohertz gives a wave velocity of 2,850,000 meters per second from the origin. This is equal to 2,850 kilohertz or .285 megahertz.

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