Sound Frequency & Wavelength

Calculate the relationship between acoustic frequency and physical wavelength based on air temperature.

Air Temperature 20 °C / 68 °F

Temperature changes the speed of sound.

Frequency (Hz)

Wavelength (Meters)

Speed of Sound (Velocity)
                  343.4
                  m/s
              

Speed in MPH

768.2 mph

Wavelength in Feet

2.56 ft

Acoustic Physics Explained

The formula for any wave is Velocity = Frequency × Wavelength ($v = f \lambda$).

Frequency (Hz): How many wave cycles happen per second. Humans can typically hear between 20 Hz (deep bass) and 20,000 Hz (high pitch).
Wavelength (m): The physical distance between the peaks of the sound wave in the air. Low frequencies have massive wavelengths (a 20 Hz wave is over 55 feet long!).
Speed of Sound: Sound travels through air by vibrating molecules. When air is warmer, the molecules have more energy, allowing the sound wave to travel faster. At 20°C (68°F), sound travels at approximately 343 meters per second.