Use this wavelength calculator to help you determine the relationship between wavelength and frequency. Although performing the manual calculation using the wavelength formula isn’t a complex task, this wavelength to frequency calculator is a lot easier to use and it’s highly accurate.
Table of Contents
How to use the wavelength calculator?
This wavelength calculator is a simple online tool that’s easy to understand and use. As long as you have the required values for the calculation of wavelength, the wave speed calculator can perform the calculations for you. Here are the steps to follow:
- First, select the Preset from the drop-down menu.
- Then input the value of the Wave Velocity and choose the unit of measurement from the drop-down menu.
- Finally, input the value of the Wave Frequency and choose the unit of measurement from the drop-down menu.
- After inputting all of the required values, the wavelength to frequency calculator automatically generates the Wavelength value for you.
What is wavelength?
Wavelength refers to a periodic wave’s spatial period. In other words, it’s the distance over which the shape of the wave repeats. Therefore, it refers to the inverse of spatial frequency. Before you can start using a wavelength or frequency calculator, it’s important to note that waves have these main properties:
- Wavelength (λ)
This is the distance over which a wave’s shape repeats. The wavelength depends on the medium that the wave travels through and meters is its unit of measurement. - Wave Velocity (v)
This is the measure of the propagation speed of a wave in a specific medium and meter per second is its unit of measurement. - Frequency (f)
This is the number of times the particles of a given medium vibrate as the wave passes through it and Hertz is its unit of measurement.
What is the formula for wavelength?
Apart from using a frequency calculator or a wavelength calculator, you can also use the wavelength formula to manually solve for the value of wavelength. Use this simple equation to describe the relationship between frequency and wavelength:
λ = v/f
How do you calculate wavelength on a calculator?
Of course, using a wavelength of wave speed calculator is a lot easier than performing the calculations by hand. Here are some steps to guide you:
- Determine the wave’s frequency. For instance, let’s use the frequency of a radio waves spectrum which is f = 10 MHz.
- Choose the wave’s velocity. This would depend on the preset you have chosen and for this example, let’s use the value of light propagating in a vacuum which is v = 299 792 458 m/s.
- hen using a calculator, enter the values according to the wavelength formula:
λ = v/f, therefore, λ = 299792458/10 = 29.98 m
What is frequency?
Frequency refers to how many times a given event occurs per unit of time. It’s also known as “temporal frequency” which highlights the contrast to angular and spatial frequency.
What is relative frequency?
Since frequency refers to how many times a given datum occurs in a given data set, a relative frequency then refers to the fraction of times the answer occurs. To solve for relative frequency, divide each of the frequencies by the total number in the data set. You can express relative frequencies as decimals, percents or fractions.
There is also something known as a cumulative relative frequency which refers to the accumulation of the past relative frequencies. To solve for this value, add all of the past relative frequencies to the relative frequency.
How do you calculate frequency?
Frequency refers to the total number of oscillations or vibration which occur within a given amount of time. There are different ways you can calculate frequency based on the information you have. Let’s take a look at the different ways to calculate frequency without using a wavelength calculator or a frequency calculator:
Calculating frequency from wavelength
- For this, the formula to use is f = V / λ where f refers to the frequency, V refers to the wave’s velocity, and λ refers to the wave’s wavelength.
- If needed, convert the value of the wavelength into meters. When you’re dealing with numbers which are extremely small or extremely large, you may want to use scientific notation. This makes it easier for you to perform the calculations.
- Divide the value of the velocity by the value of the wavelength. Remember to express your answer using the Hertz or Hz unit of measurement.
Calculating frequency of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum
- The formula for this calculation is almost the same as the formula of a wave which isn’t in a vacuum. But since there aren’t any external influences on the wave’s velocity, you must use a mathematical constant for the value of the speed of light.
- Therefore, the formula is f = C / λ where f refers to the frequency, C refers to the speed of light or velocity, and λ refers to the wave’s wavelength.
- Again, if it’s necessary, convert the value of wavelength to meters. Also, when you’re dealing with numbers which are extremely small or extremely large for this type of calculation, you should also use scientific notation. This makes it easier for you to perform the calculations.
- Divide the value of the speed of light by the value of the wavelength. The value of the speed of light is a constant one so you can simply research it if it’s not indicated in the problem. Make sure to express your answer using the Hertz or Hz unit of measurement.
Calculating frequency from period or time
- The frequency and the time taken for a single wave to complete an oscillation have an inversely proportional relationship. Therefore, the formula to use is f = 1 / T where f refers to the frequency and T refers to the amount of time or the time period needed to complete one wave oscillation.
- Divide the value of the number of oscillations by the value of the time period. Usually, you will also have the value of the time it takes to complete one oscillation. In such a case, you simply divide 1 by the value of the time period.
- If you have a value for the time period of several oscillations, you must divide this value by the total period of time needed to complete all of the oscillations.
