Wavelength Calculator
Calculate the wavelength (λ) of a wave given its speed (v) and frequency (f).
Wavelength Calculation Parameters
Wavelength Formula
The wavelength of a wave is the spatial period of a periodic wave – the distance over which the wave's shape repeats. It is inversely proportional to its frequency and directly proportional to its speed.
Where:
- λ = Wavelength in meters (m)
- v = Wave speed in meters per second (m/s)
- f = Frequency in Hertz (Hz)
Typical Wavelengths and Frequencies
| Wave Type | Typical Wavelength | Typical Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| AM Radio Wave | ~100s of meters | ~1 MHz |
| FM Radio Wave | ~3 meters | ~100 MHz |
| Microwave | ~1 cm - 1 meter | ~300 MHz - 30 GHz |
| Visible Light (Red) | ~700 nm | ~4.3 × 1014 Hz |
| X-ray | ~0.01 - 10 nm | ~3 × 1016 - 3 × 1019 Hz |
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 (f) 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 fundamental wave equation: λ = v / f. This means that for a constant wave speed, wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional.