1. What is Wavelength?

Wavelength (λ) is the distance between consecutive crests of a wave, especially in electromagnetic waves. It is inversely proportional to frequency and directly proportional to the speed of propagation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wavelength formula:

Where:

• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength (meters)
• \( c \) — Speed of wave (m/s), typically speed of light (3 × 10⁸ m/s) for EM waves
• \( f \) — Frequency (Hz)

Explanation: The equation shows that higher frequency waves have shorter wavelengths, and vice versa.

3. Importance of Wavelength Calculation

Details: Wavelength calculations are essential in physics, engineering, telecommunications, and optics for designing systems that use electromagnetic radiation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter frequency in Hz and speed in m/s (default is speed of light). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical speed of light value?
A: In a vacuum, the speed of light is approximately 3 × 10⁸ m/s (299,792,458 m/s exactly).

Q2: How does wavelength relate to color?
A: In visible light, different wavelengths correspond to different colors (violet ~400nm to red ~700nm).

Q3: What units are used for wavelength?
A: Typically meters, but often expressed in nanometers (nm) for visible light or micrometers (μm) for infrared.

Q4: Does wavelength change in different media?
A: Yes, wavelength changes when light enters a different medium (like water or glass) because the speed changes, though frequency remains constant.

Q5: What's the relationship between wavelength and energy?
A: Shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons (E = hc/λ, where h is Planck's constant).