1. What is Wavelength?

Wavelength is the spatial period of a periodic wave—the distance over which the wave's shape repeats. It is usually denoted by the Greek letter lambda (λ) and is inversely proportional to frequency.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wavelength equation:

Where:

• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength (meters)
• \( V \) — Wave speed (meters/second)
• \( f \) — Frequency (hertz)

Explanation: The equation shows that wavelength is equal to the speed of the wave divided by its frequency.

3. Importance of Wavelength Calculation

Details: Calculating wavelength is essential in physics, engineering, and telecommunications for designing systems that use wave propagation, such as radio, sound, and light waves.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wave speed in m/s and frequency in Hz. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical units for wavelength?
A: Wavelength is typically measured in meters (m), though for electromagnetic waves, nanometers (nm) or angstroms (Å) may be used for very short wavelengths.

Q2: How does wavelength relate to frequency?
A: Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional - as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa.

Q3: Does this equation work for all types of waves?
A: Yes, the equation applies to all wave types (sound, light, water waves) as long as you know the wave speed and frequency.

Q4: What's the speed of light for EM wave calculations?
A: The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792,458 m/s (often rounded to 3×10⁸ m/s).

Q5: How does medium affect wavelength?
A: While frequency remains constant, wavelength changes in different media because wave speed changes.