Understanding the relationship between frequency and wavelength is essential in various fields such as physics, engineering, and telecommunications. In this article, we will discuss how to calculate the frequency of a wavelength using a simple formula involving the speed of light.

1. Understanding the terms

Before diving into the calculations, it’s crucial to understand some basic terms related to waves:

– Wavelength (λ): The distance between two consecutive points in a wave that are in phase. It is usually measured in meters (m).

– Frequency (f): The number of complete wave cycles that pass a given point per unit time. It is measured in Hertz (Hz) which is equivalent to cycles per second.

– Speed of light (c): The constant speed at which electromagnetic waves travel through a vacuum. It is roughly equal to 3.00 x 10^8 meters per second (m/s).

2. Using the formula

The relationship between frequency, wavelength, and the speed of light can be represented by the following formula:

f = c / λ

where f is the frequency, c is the speed of light, and λ is the wavelength.

3. Performing the calculation

To calculate the frequency of a wavelength, follow these steps:

a) Convert the given wavelength value into meters if it’s not already in meters.

b) Divide the speed of light by the wavelength using the formula: f = c / λ.

c) The result will be in Hertz (Hz), representing the frequency of the given wavelength.

4. Example calculation

Let’s consider an example: you want to calculate the frequency of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of 500 nm (nanometers) which lies in visible light range.

a) Convert the wavelength into meters: 500 nm = 500 x 10^-9 m = 5 x 10^-7 m

b) Apply the formula: f = (3.00 x 10^8 m/s) / (5 x 10^-7 m)

c) Calculate the result: f ≈ 6 x 10^14 Hz

Therefore, the frequency of the given wavelength is approximately 6 x 10^14 Hz.

5. Conclusion

Calculating the frequency of a wavelength is a straightforward process once you understand the relationship between these two variables and the speed of light. By using the simple formula f = c / λ, you’ll be able to determine the frequency for any given wavelength in no time.