Convert between wavelength and frequency using f = c/λ for electromagnetic waves or f = v/λ for general waves. Free online wave calculator with support for multiple units.
Convert between wavelength and frequency using f = c/λ or f = v/λ
Formula:
f = c / λ
Where: f = Frequency, c = Speed of light, λ = Wavelength
Note: Using speed of light c = 299,792,458 m/s
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Wavelength and frequency are fundamental properties of waves that are inversely related. Understanding the relationship between wavelength (λ) and frequency (f) is essential for studying electromagnetic radiation, sound waves, and all types of wave phenomena. Our Wavelength to Frequency Calculator makes it easy to convert between these two critical wave properties using the formulas: f = c/λ for electromagnetic waves or f = v/λ for general waves.
Whether you're working with radio waves, visible light, X-rays, sound waves, or any other wave phenomenon, this calculator simplifies wavelength-frequency conversions with support for multiple units and both electromagnetic and mechanical waves.
Our Wavelength to Frequency Calculator is designed for simplicity and accuracy. Follow these steps:
The calculator uses the formula: f = c/λ for electromagnetic waves or f = v/λ for general waves.
The relationship between wavelength and frequency is fundamental to wave physics:
f = c / λ
For electromagnetic waves: f = Frequency, c = Speed of light, λ = Wavelength
f = v / λ
For general waves: f = Frequency, v = Velocity, λ = Wavelength
Wavelength and frequency have an inverse relationship: as wavelength increases, frequency decreases, and vice versa. This is because the product of wavelength and frequency equals the wave velocity (c for EM waves, v for general waves).
Wavelength-frequency conversions are used in countless real-world scenarios:
The electromagnetic spectrum spans a wide range of wavelengths and frequencies:
Understanding wavelength and frequency units is crucial for accurate calculations:
What is the frequency of green light with a wavelength of 550 nm?
f = c / λ = 299,792,458 m/s / (550 × 10⁻⁹ m) = 5.45 × 10¹⁴ Hz = 545 THz
A radio station broadcasts at 101.5 MHz. What is the wavelength?
λ = c / f = 299,792,458 m/s / (101.5 × 10⁶ Hz) = 2.95 m
An X-ray has a wavelength of 0.1 nm. What is its frequency?
f = c / λ = 299,792,458 m/s / (0.1 × 10⁻⁹ m) = 3.00 × 10¹⁸ Hz = 3.00 EHz
A sound wave in air (v = 343 m/s) has a wavelength of 0.5 m. What is its frequency?
f = v / λ = 343 m/s / 0.5 m = 686 Hz
WiFi operates at 2.4 GHz. What is the wavelength?
λ = c / f = 299,792,458 m/s / (2.4 × 10⁹ Hz) = 0.125 m = 12.5 cm
Understanding the difference between electromagnetic and general waves:
For electromagnetic waves, you can also calculate photon energy using:
E = h × f = h × c / λ
Where: E = Photon energy, h = Planck's constant (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s)
This relationship shows that shorter wavelengths (higher frequencies) correspond to higher energy photons. This is why gamma rays are more energetic than radio waves.
For electromagnetic waves, use f = c / λ, where c = 299,792,458 m/s (speed of light). For general waves, use f = v / λ, where v is the wave velocity. Simply divide the speed by the wavelength to get the frequency. For example, a wavelength of 500 nm (visible light) corresponds to f = 299,792,458 / (500 × 10⁻⁹) = 5.996 × 10¹⁴ Hz ≈ 600 THz.
Wavelength and frequency have an inverse relationship: as wavelength increases, frequency decreases, and vice versa. Their product equals the wave velocity (c for EM waves, v for general waves). This means f × λ = c for electromagnetic waves, or f × λ = v for general waves.
The speed of light in vacuum is exactly 299,792,458 meters per second (m/s). This is a fundamental constant used for all electromagnetic wave calculations. In other media, light travels slower, but for most practical purposes, we use the vacuum speed of light.
For electromagnetic waves, use λ = c / f, where c = 299,792,458 m/s. For general waves, use λ = v / f, where v is the wave velocity. Simply divide the speed by the frequency to get the wavelength. For example, a frequency of 100 MHz (radio wave) corresponds to λ = 299,792,458 / (100 × 10⁶) = 2.998 m ≈ 3 m.
Wavelength is commonly measured in meters (m), nanometers (nm) for visible light, micrometers (μm) for infrared, and centimeters (cm) or meters for radio waves. Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz), with kilohertz (kHz) for radio, megahertz (MHz) for radio and TV, gigahertz (GHz) for microwaves and WiFi, and terahertz (THz) for infrared and visible light.
Yes! Select 'General Waves' mode and enter the sound velocity in your medium. Sound travels at approximately 343 m/s in air at room temperature, 1,500 m/s in water, and 5,000 m/s in steel. Then enter either the wavelength or frequency to calculate the other.
Understanding the relationship between wavelength and frequency is fundamental to wave physics, optics, and electromagnetic theory. Our Wavelength to Frequency Calculator simplifies these conversions, making it easy to work with electromagnetic waves, sound waves, and any other wave phenomena.
Ready to explore more wave concepts? Check out our other calculators like the Frequency Calculator for period-based frequency calculations, or the Force Calculator for mechanics calculations that often complement wave analysis.
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