Frequency Calculator
Calculate the frequency (f) of a wave given its wavelength (λ) and wave speed (v).
Frequency Calculation Parameters
Frequency Calculation Formula
The frequency (f) of a wave is calculated by dividing its wave speed (v) by its wavelength (λ).
Where:
- f is the frequency in Hertz (Hz)
- v is the wave speed in meters per second (m/s)
- λ is the wavelength in meters (m)
Typical Frequencies of Electromagnetic Spectrum
| Wave Type | Frequency Range | Wavelength Range (in vacuum) |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Waves | 3 kHz - 300 GHz | 1 km - 1 mm |
| Microwaves | 300 MHz - 300 GHz | 1 m - 1 mm |
| Infrared | 300 GHz - 400 THz | 1 mm - 750 nm |
| Visible Light | 400 THz - 790 THz | 750 nm - 380 nm |
| Ultraviolet | 790 THz - 30 PHz | 380 nm - 10 nm |
| X-rays | 30 PHz - 30 EHz | 10 nm - 10 pm |
| Gamma Rays | > 30 EHz | < 10 pm |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is frequency?
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time. In physics, it refers to the number of wave cycles that pass a fixed point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz).
What is wavelength?
Wavelength (λ) is the spatial period of a periodic wave – the distance over which the wave's shape repeats. It is typically measured in meters (m).
What is wave speed?
Wave speed (v) is the distance a wave travels per unit time, or the speed at which a wave propagates through a medium. It is typically measured in meters per second (m/s).
How are frequency, wavelength, and wave speed related?
These three quantities are related by the formula: Frequency (f) = Wave Speed (v) / Wavelength (λ). This means that for a constant wave speed, frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional.