Wavelength Calculator
Calculate the wavelength (λ) of a wave given its frequency (f) and wave speed (v).
Wavelength Calculation Parameters
Wavelength Calculation Formula
The wavelength (λ) of a wave is calculated by dividing its wave speed (v) by its frequency (f).
Where:
- λ = Wavelength in meters (m)
- v = Wave speed in meters per second (m/s)
- f = Frequency in Hertz (Hz)
Typical Wavelengths of Electromagnetic Spectrum
| Wave Type | Wavelength Range | Frequency Range |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Waves | 1 km - 1 mm | 3 kHz - 300 GHz |
| Microwaves | 1 m - 1 mm | 300 MHz - 300 GHz |
| Infrared | 1 mm - 750 nm | 300 GHz - 400 THz |
| Visible Light | 750 nm - 380 nm | 400 THz - 790 THz |
| Ultraviolet | 380 nm - 10 nm | 790 THz - 30 PHz |
| X-rays | 10 nm - 10 pm | 30 PHz - 30 EHz |
| Gamma Rays | < 10 pm | > 30 EHz |
Frequently Asked Questions
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 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 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 wavelength, frequency, and wave speed related?
These three quantities are related by the formula: Wavelength (λ) = Wave Speed (v) / Frequency (f). This means that for a constant wave speed, wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional.