Question

Of the following properties of a wave, the one independent of the others is:

• A. Amplitude
• B. Velocity
• C. Wavelength
• D. Frequency

Hint:

Recall v equals f times wavelength, then check which listed quantity is missing from that equation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: The basic wave equation links three of the listed quantities together: \(v = f \lambda\), where \(v\) is wave speed, \(f\) is frequency, and \(\lambda\) is wavelength.

Step 2: Because of this equation, velocity, frequency and wavelength are not independent of each other. In a given medium, if the speed is fixed, then a change in frequency forces a matching change in wavelength, and knowing any two of the three lets you calculate the third.

Step 3: Amplitude is the maximum displacement of the wave from its equilibrium position. It is decided by how much energy the source puts into the disturbance, for example how hard a string is plucked or a source is shaken, and it does not appear anywhere in the equation \(v = f\lambda\).

Step 4: Changing the amplitude of a wave does not force velocity, frequency or wavelength to change, so amplitude stands apart from the other three.

Answer: Amplitude, option A.