Wavelength Calculator
Calculate wavelength, frequency, and wave velocity for electromagnetic and acoustic waves
Calculate Wave Properties
Number of wave cycles per second
Speed of wave propagation in medium
Quick Frequency Presets:
Calculation Results
Formula used: λ = v/f (wavelength = velocity/frequency)
• λ = 3.00e+8 / 0.00e+0 = 0.000e+0 m
Example Calculation
Radio Wave Example
Given: f = 100 MHz, v = 3×10⁸ m/s (speed of light)
Find: Wavelength of the radio wave
Solution
λ = v/f
λ = (3×10⁸ m/s) / (100×10⁶ Hz)
λ = 3×10⁸ / 1×10⁸
λ = 3.0 m
Wave Properties
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Understanding Wavelength and Wave Properties
What is Wavelength?
Wavelength (λ) is the distance between two consecutive points that are in phase on a wave, such as two adjacent crests or troughs. It's a fundamental property that determines many characteristics of electromagnetic radiation and sound waves.
Wave Equation
- •λ = v/f - Basic wave equation
- •c = λf - For electromagnetic waves
- •E = hf - Photon energy equation
- •T = 1/f - Period and frequency relationship
Applications
λ = v/f
- λ: Wavelength (m, nm, etc.)
- v: Wave velocity (m/s)
- f: Frequency (Hz)
- c: Speed of light (3×10⁸ m/s)
- h: Planck's constant (6.626×10⁻³⁴ J⋅s)
Key Insight: Frequency and wavelength are inversely related - as frequency increases, wavelength decreases for the same wave velocity.
Physical Constants:
• Speed of light in vacuum: 299,792,458 m/s
• Speed of light in water: ≈ 225,000,000 m/s
• Speed of sound in air: ≈ 343 m/s (at 20°C)