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40 votes
40 votes
When amplitude increases, wavelength _____________ (increases, decreases, stays the same).

User Dufaux
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1 Answer

19 votes
19 votes

Answer: the wavelength decreases

Step-by-step explanation:

As long as frequency and wave speed is consistent, wavelength remains constant.

Extreme amplitude changes can affect the wavelength by changing the wave speed. Think of waves in a string, for instance. The string is stretched when the amplitude is very high; as a result, the average tension is higher, increasing the wave speed and shortening the wavelength.

Without necessarily altering the fundamental frequency, adjusting the amplitude also adds additional frequencies.

User Henson
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