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Wavelength is a fundamental concept in physics and plays a crucial role in understanding various phenomena, such as light, sound, and electromagnetic radiation. It is defined as the distance between consecutive crests or troughs of a wave and is measured in meters. Knowing how to calculate wavelength is essential for analyzing and predicting wave behavior, which has practical applications in various scientific fields. This guide will provide a step-by-step explanation of the formulas and methods to calculate wavelength accurately, enabling you to explore the fascinating world of waves. Whether you are a student studying physics or simply curious about the nature of waves, this overview will equip you with the necessary knowledge to master wavelength calculations.
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Wavelength is the distance between two adjacent maximum points in a wave’s oscillation and is often referred to when referring to electromagnetic waves. [1] X Research Source Depending on the available information, the wavelength can be determined in one way or another. If we know the speed and frequency, we can apply the basic wavelength formula. If we want to calculate the wavelength of light when the characteristic energy of a photon is known, we can apply the energy formula. The correct application of the formula will make it easy to calculate the wavelength.
Steps
Calculate wavelength based on speed and frequency
- Wavelength is usually represented by the letter lamda λ{displaystyle lambda } in Greek.
- Speed is usually denoted by . v{displaystyle v} .
- Frequency is usually denoted as . f{displaystyle f} .
- λ=vf{displaystyle lambda ={frac {v}{f}}}
- Always use the same unit form when applying formulas. Often in physics, mathematical operations will be calculated using standard units of measurement.
- If the frequency is given in kilohertz (kHz) or the propagation speed of the wave is given in km/s, we need to convert these values to Hertz and m/s by multiplying the given value by 1000 ( 10 kHz = 10 000 Hz).
- Example: Find the wavelength of a wave traveling with a speed of 20 m/s and with a frequency of 5 Hz.
- Wavelength=Spreading speedFrequency{displaystyle {text{Wavelength}}={frac {text{Planning rate}}{text{Frequency}}}}
λ=vf{displaystyle lambda ={frac {v}{f}}}
λ=20m/S5Hz{displaystyle lambda ={frac {20m/s}{5Hz}}}
λ=4m{displaystyle lambda =4m}
- Wavelength=Spreading speedFrequency{displaystyle {text{Wavelength}}={frac {text{Planning rate}}{text{Frequency}}}}
- Example: Find the propagation speed of a wave with a wavelength of 450 nm with a frequency of 45 Hz. v=λf=450nsquare meter45Hz=tennm/S{displaystyle v={frac {lambda }{f}}={frac {450nm}{45Hz}}=10nm/s} .
- Example: Find the frequency of a wave with wavelength 2.5 m and propagating with speed 50 m/s. f=vλ=50square meter/S2.5square meter=20Hz{displaystyle f={frac {v}{lambda }}={frac {50m/s}{2.5m}}=20Hz} .
Calculate the wavelength knowing the photon energy
- In this type of problem, the energy of a photon is usually given.
- The above formula can also be used to calculate the maximum wavelength of light required to ionize the metal. We just need to substitute the ionization energy of the metal and calculate according to the formula to get the wavelength. [8] X Research Sources
- Example: Find the wavelength of a photon with an energy of 2.88 x 10 -19 J.
- λ=HcE{displaystyle lambda ={frac {hc}{E}}}
= (6,626∗ten−34)(3,0∗ten8)(2,88∗ten−19){displaystyle {frac {(6,626*10^{-34})(3,0*10^{8})}{(2.88*10^{-19})}}}
=(19,878∗ten−26)(2,88∗ten−19){displaystyle ={frac {(19,878*10^{-26})}{(2.88*10^{-19})}}}
=6,90∗ten−7meters{displaystyle =6,90*10^{-7}{text{meters}}} . - Convert back to nanometers by multiplying the above result by 10 9 . The wavelength in this example in nanometers is 690 nm.
- λ=HcE{displaystyle lambda ={frac {hc}{E}}}
Proofreading
- Example: Calculate the wavelength of a 70 Hz sound wave traveling at 343 meters per second.
- After following the instructions above, you have a result of 4.9 meters.
- Double-check the calculation by calculating 4.9 meters x 70 Hz = 343 meters per second. This is also the speed of wave propagation that the problem gives, so the answer of 4.9 meters is correct.
- Example: Light travels through water at a speed of 225 000 000 meters per second. Given that the frequency of the light wave is 4 x 10 14 Hz, what is the wavelength?
- The propagation rate is written to a power of 2.25 x 10 8 . The frequency has been correctly written to the exponentiation.
- Wavelength=Spreading speedFrequency{displaystyle {text{Wavelength}}={frac {text{Planning rate}}{text{Frequency}}}}
=2,25∗ten84∗ten14=2,254∗ten6{displaystyle ={frac {2,25*10^{8}}{4*10^{14}}}={frac {2,25}{4*10^{6}}}}
=0,563∗ten−6meters{displaystyle =0.563*10^{-6}{text{meters}}}
=5,63∗ten−7meters{displaystyle =5.63*10^{-7}{text{meters}}} .
- Example: A light wave of frequency f , propagation speed v , and wavelength λ propagates from air into another medium with a refractive index of 1.5. How do the three values above change?
- The propagation speed in the new medium is equal to vfirst,5{displaystyle {frac {v}{1,5}}} .
- The frequency does not change and remains the same value as f .
- The wavelength in the new medium is New speedFrequency=vfirst,5f=vfirst,5f{displaystyle {frac {text{New Speed}}{text{Frequency}}}={frac {frac {v}{1.5}}{f}}={frac {v}{1.5f}} } .
This article is co-authored by a team of editors and trained researchers who confirm the accuracy and completeness of the article.
The wikiHow Content Management team carefully monitors the work of editors to ensure that every article is up to a high standard of quality.
There are 8 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 187,890 times.
Wavelength is the distance between two adjacent maximum points in a wave’s oscillation and is often referred to when referring to electromagnetic waves. [1] X Research Source Depending on the available information, the wavelength can be determined in one way or another. If we know the speed and frequency, we can apply the basic wavelength formula. If we want to calculate the wavelength of light when the characteristic energy of a photon is known, we can apply the energy formula. The correct application of the formula will make it easy to calculate the wavelength.
In conclusion, calculating wavelength is a fundamental concept in physics and is crucial in understanding the behavior of waves. By utilizing the equation λ = v/f or λ = c/f, where λ represents wavelength, v represents velocity, f represents frequency, and c represents the speed of light, one can easily determine the wavelength of a given wave. Whether it is sound waves, light waves or other types of waves, knowing the wavelength can provide valuable information about the wave’s characteristics, such as its energy, propagation, and interaction with different mediums. Understanding how to calculate wavelength allows us to comprehend and manipulate waves in various applications, ranging from telecommunications and medical imaging to musical instruments and fundamental research in quantum mechanics. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency, meaning that shorter wavelengths correspond to higher frequencies and vice versa. Therefore, mastering the calculation of wavelength is not only useful in theory but also applicable to practical phenomena encountered in our daily lives.
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