Question

Two sound waves are emitted from identical sources at the same time. They each travel a distance of 10 m, but one wave reaches the destination faster than the other. What can you conclude about the two waves?

Answer 1

Varying frequency between both waves accounts for difference in speed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The speed of a wave is dependent on four major factors:

1. wavelength
2. frequency
3. medium, and
4. temperature

Assuming equal temperature and medium of travel of these sound waves, and given that the wavelength (that is distance of travel) is equal, the only varying factor would be their frequency.

Wave speed is calculated by multiplying the wavelength times the frequency

⇒ Speed = λ * f

Answer 2

Faster one has a lower frequency and higher wavelength.

Step-by-step explanation:

The waves have properties such as frequency and wavelength. If the distance they travel is the same but one wave is faster than the other one, the faster wave must have a lower frequency and higher wavelength as it can be seen in this graph from Encyclopedia Britannica.

I hope this answer helps.