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Wavelength Formula:
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The wavelength formula describes the relationship between the wavelength (λ), wave velocity (v), and frequency (f) of a wave. It is a fundamental equation in wave physics that applies to various types of waves including sound waves, light waves, and electromagnetic waves.
The calculator uses the wavelength formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula shows that wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency - as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa.
Details: Calculating wavelength is essential in various fields including telecommunications, acoustics, optics, and radio astronomy. It helps in designing antenna systems, musical instruments, optical devices, and understanding wave behavior in different media.
Tips: Enter wave velocity in meters per second and frequency in Hertz. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is the typical velocity of light waves?
A: In vacuum, light travels at approximately 299,792,458 m/s (often rounded to 3×10⁸ m/s).
Q2: How does wavelength relate to sound pitch?
A: Higher frequency sounds have shorter wavelengths and are perceived as higher pitch, while lower frequency sounds have longer wavelengths and are perceived as lower pitch.
Q3: What units are used for wavelength?
A: Wavelength is typically measured in meters (m), though smaller units like nanometers (nm) are used for light waves.
Q4: Does wavelength change in different media?
A: Yes, when waves move from one medium to another, their velocity changes, which affects their wavelength while frequency remains constant.
Q5: What is the relationship between wavelength and energy?
A: For electromagnetic waves, shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons (e.g., gamma rays have shorter wavelengths and higher energy than radio waves).