Which factor does NOT affect wave speed in a medium?

Wave speed in a medium is influenced by various factors, but frequency is not one of them. The speed of a wave is determined primarily by the properties of the medium through which it travels, such as the density and temperature of that medium, as well as the type of medium itself.

The density of the medium affects how tightly packed the molecules are, which in turn influences how quickly energy can be transmitted through it. Higher density often results in slower wave speeds, particularly for sound waves. Temperature plays a role as well; for example, in gases, higher temperatures increase the energy of the molecules, allowing sound waves to travel faster. The type of medium, such as whether it is a solid, liquid, or gas, also significantly affects wave speed, as different states of matter have different densities and elastic properties.

In contrast, while frequency is related to the energy and characteristics of the wave itself, it does not impact how quickly that wave travels through a given medium. This is encapsulated in the equation for wave speed, which is dependent on wavelength and frequency, but keeping in mind that for a specific medium, the wave speed remains constant regardless of changes in frequency. Thus, frequency is the factor that does not directly affect wave speed.