will change in frequency change the speed of a wave

Question

theeric · Answer

I'm not sure if I can answer this properly, as tired as I am, but I can try! What kind of waves are you talking about? Electromagnetic (light, radio waves, ultraviolet - all different frequencies but same kind of wave)? Or sound? For the electromagnetic, the speed will differ only in different materials. When the light goes from one material to another, it also changes its frequency. Here's a great video, I think. Look to about 3:20, maybe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybn-qr-Pvnw When we look at the Compton effect, I think the electromagnetic wave loses energy. While the loss of energy changes the frequency, it does not affect the speed. Of course, everything is different according to your frame of reference.

anonymous · Answer

That depends upon whether the waves are dispersive or non-dispersive. 
Non-dispersive waves are those that travel with same speed no matter what are their frequencies.Dispersive waves travel with speeds which are velocity dependent.

For eg ,
waves on string are non-dispersive. Their speeds are given by ,$v=\sqrt{T/ \mu}$
You see there is no indication of frequency of waves in the formula for velocity. Sound waves are also non dispersive. High frequency waves travel with same speed as that of low frequency waves. Light waves IN VACCUM are non dispersive. Whether it is red light or blue light-all travel with speed=c.

Water waves are dispersive waves. For large wavelength,deep water waves, their speed is given by  $v=\sqrt{g \lambda/2 \pi }$. You see v is dependent on wavelength (and thus frequency). Light waves in a medium are highly dispersive. Different colours travel with different speeds in a medium (such as glass, water).Red travels faster than blue.

anonymous · Answer

yes

anonymous · Answer

ERIC... frequency of light does not changes from one medium to another... rather its wavelength or speed changes.. frequency is a fundamental property

theeric · Answer

@mr.singh, thank you!

theeric · Answer

A frequency change wouldn't even make sense - one part of the wave would be out of phase with another part of that same wave! That's a contradiction. Thanks again, @mr.singh!