Celerity is the speed at which a wave propagates through a medium. This calculator helps you determine celerity using the fundamental wave equation.
Formula
$$c = \lambda \times f$$
Where:
- c is the celerity (wave speed) in meters per second (m/s)
- ฮป (lambda) is the wavelength in meters (m)
- f is the frequency in hertz (Hz)
What is Celerity?
Celerity refers to the phase velocity of a wave, which is the speed at which the wave crests (or any point of constant phase) move through space. It is a fundamental property in wave physics and is used extensively in fields such as:
- Oceanography - calculating the speed of ocean waves
- Acoustics - determining sound wave propagation
- Electromagnetism - analyzing electromagnetic wave behavior
- Seismology - studying seismic wave velocities
Example Calculation
If a wave has a wavelength of 10 meters and a frequency of 5 Hz:
$$c = 10 \times 5 = 50 \text{ m/s}$$
The wave propagates at a speed of 50 meters per second.
Relationship with Other Wave Properties
The celerity equation is one of the most fundamental relationships in wave physics. It connects three key wave properties:
- Wavelength (ฮป) - the spatial period of the wave
- Frequency (f) - the number of wave cycles per second
- Celerity (c) - the propagation speed
Understanding this relationship allows you to calculate any one property if you know the other two.