1. What is a Frequency From Wavelength Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the frequency of an electromagnetic wave based on its wavelength and the speed of light.

Purpose: It helps physicists, engineers, and students determine wave frequency for applications in optics, radio, and other electromagnetic phenomena.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( f \) — Frequency (Hz)
• \( c \) — Speed of light (m/s, default 3×10⁸)
• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength (meters)

Explanation: The speed of light is divided by the wavelength to calculate the wave's frequency.

3. Importance of Frequency Calculation

Details: Accurate frequency calculation is essential for designing communication systems, optical devices, and understanding electromagnetic spectrum properties.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters and speed of light in m/s (default 300,000,000). Both values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the speed of light default value 3×10⁸ m/s?
A: This is the approximate speed of light in a vacuum, which is 299,792,458 m/s (often rounded to 3×10⁸ m/s for calculations).

Q2: Can I use this for sound waves?
A: Yes, but you'll need to change the speed value to the speed of sound in your medium (about 343 m/s in air at 20°C).

Q3: What units should I use for wavelength?
A: The calculator uses meters, but you can convert from other units (e.g., nanometers to meters by multiplying by 10⁻⁹).

Q4: How does frequency relate to energy?
A: For photons, energy E = hf where h is Planck's constant (6.626×10⁻³⁴ J·s).

Q5: What's a typical wavelength for visible light?
A: Visible light ranges from about 380 nm (violet) to 750 nm (red), which is 3.8×10⁻⁷ to 7.5×10⁻⁷ meters.