1. What is Wavelength and Frequency?

Wavelength (λ) is the distance between successive crests of a wave, especially points in a sound wave or electromagnetic wave. Frequency (f) is the number of waves that pass a fixed point in unit time. The relationship between them is governed by the wave equation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wavelength formula:

Where:

• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength (meters)
• \( c \) — Speed of light (3×10^8 m/s in vacuum)
• \( f \) — Frequency (Hz)

Explanation: This formula shows the inverse relationship between wavelength and frequency - as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa.

3. Importance of Wavelength Calculation

Details: Calculating wavelength is essential in various fields including telecommunications, optics, acoustics, and radio astronomy. It helps determine signal propagation, antenna design, and wave behavior in different media.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter frequency in Hertz (Hz) and the speed of wave propagation in m/s. For electromagnetic waves in vacuum, the speed of light is 3×10^8 m/s by default.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the standard speed of light value?
A: The speed of light in vacuum is exactly 299,792,458 m/s, but is commonly approximated as 3×10^8 m/s for calculations.

Q2: Does the speed change in different media?
A: Yes, the speed of light is slower in materials like water or glass. This affects the wavelength calculation for waves propagating through these media.

Q3: How does frequency relate to energy?
A: For electromagnetic waves, energy is directly proportional to frequency (E = hf, where h is Planck's constant).

Q4: What are typical frequency ranges?
A: Radio waves: 3kHz-300GHz, Microwaves: 300MHz-300GHz, Visible light: 400-790THz, X-rays: 30PHz-30EHz.

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