1. What is Wavelength Calculation?

The wavelength calculation determines the distance between consecutive points of the same phase in a wave (e.g., from crest to crest) based on the wave's frequency and speed. For light, the speed is typically the speed of light in a vacuum (approximately 3×10⁸ m/s).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wavelength formula:

Where:

• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength in meters (m)
• \( c \) — Speed of light (m/s)
• \( f \) — Frequency in Hertz (Hz)

Explanation: The wavelength is inversely proportional to the frequency - higher frequencies result in shorter wavelengths, and vice versa.

3. Importance of Wavelength Calculation

Details: Calculating wavelength is essential in physics, engineering, and telecommunications for designing optical systems, radio communications, and understanding electromagnetic radiation properties.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter frequency in Hertz (Hz) and speed of light in meters per second (m/s). The default speed of light is set to 3×10⁸ m/s (299,792,458 m/s exact).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?
A: They are inversely proportional - as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa, when speed is constant.

Q2: What are typical wavelength ranges for visible light?
A: Visible light ranges from about 380 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red), corresponding to frequencies of about 790 THz to 430 THz.

Q3: How does wavelength change in different media?
A: When light enters a medium with a higher refractive index, its speed decreases, causing the wavelength to decrease while frequency remains constant.

Q4: What are common units for wavelength?
A: Meters (m) are standard, but nanometers (nm) and angstroms (Å) are commonly used for light wavelengths (1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m, 1 Å = 10⁻¹⁰ m).

Q5: Can this calculator be used for sound waves?
A: Yes, but you would need to input the speed of sound in the medium (about 343 m/s in air at 20°C) instead of the speed of light.