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Light Wavelength to Frequency Calculator

Frequency-Wavelength Relationship:

\[ f = \frac{c}{\lambda} \]

meters

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1. What is the Frequency-Wavelength Relationship?

The frequency-wavelength relationship describes how the frequency of a light wave is inversely proportional to its wavelength, with the speed of light as the constant of proportionality. This fundamental relationship is crucial in optics and electromagnetic theory.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the frequency-wavelength equation:

\[ f = \frac{c}{\lambda} \]

Where:

Explanation: As wavelength increases, frequency decreases proportionally, maintaining the constant speed of light for all electromagnetic waves in a vacuum.

3. Importance of Frequency Calculation

Details: Calculating frequency from wavelength is essential in fields like telecommunications, spectroscopy, and optical engineering, where different applications require specific frequency ranges.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters (for visible light, typically 380-700 nanometers, which is 3.8×10⁻⁷ to 7×10⁻⁷ m). The calculator will output the corresponding frequency in Hertz.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the speed of light in different media?
A: The speed of light varies in different media (slower in water or glass), but this calculator uses the vacuum speed of light (299,792,458 m/s).

Q2: Can I use this for sound waves?
A: No, this calculator is specifically for electromagnetic waves. Sound waves follow a similar principle but use the speed of sound instead of light.

Q3: What are typical frequency ranges for visible light?
A: Visible light ranges from about 430 THz (red) to 750 THz (violet) (1 THz = 10¹² Hz).

Q4: How precise is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact for vacuum conditions. Precision depends on the accuracy of your wavelength measurement.

Q5: What about wavelength in other units?
A: Convert your wavelength to meters first. Common conversions: 1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m, 1 μm = 10⁻⁶ m.

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