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Wavelength and Frequency Equation:
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The relationship between wavelength (λ) and frequency (f) is fundamental in wave physics, particularly for electromagnetic waves. The speed of light (c) in a vacuum is constant at approximately 3×10^8 m/s, connecting these two properties.
The calculator uses the wave equation:
Where:
Explanation: This equation shows that wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional - as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa.
Details: Understanding this relationship is crucial in fields like telecommunications, optics, astronomy, and any application involving electromagnetic radiation including radio, microwave, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Tips: Enter either frequency or wavelength to calculate the other value. If you enter both, the calculator will verify the speed of light calculation. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is the speed of light in different media?
A: The speed of light varies in different materials. In vacuum it's 3×10^8 m/s, but it slows down in water, glass, and other transparent materials.
Q2: How does wavelength relate to color?
A: For visible light, different wavelengths correspond to different colors. Violet has the shortest wavelength (~380-450 nm) and red has the longest (~620-750 nm).
Q3: What are typical frequency ranges for radio waves?
A: Radio waves typically range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz, with corresponding wavelengths from 100 km to 1 mm.
Q4: Does this equation apply to sound waves?
A: The relationship λ = v/f applies to all waves, but for sound waves, v represents the speed of sound (about 343 m/s in air) instead of the speed of light.
Q5: How is energy related to frequency and wavelength?
A: For photons, energy is directly proportional to frequency (E = hf) and inversely proportional to wavelength, where h is Planck's constant.