Wavelength Calculator

Wavelength (λ) is the distance between two consecutive peaks, troughs, or identical points in a wave. It's calculated as λ = v/f (wave speed divided by frequency). Measured in meters, it describes the spatial period of the wave.

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related: λ = v/f. Higher frequency means shorter wavelength. For electromagnetic waves in vacuum (v = c), radio waves have long wavelengths (meters to kilometers), while gamma rays have tiny wavelengths (picometers).

Radio: 1mm-100km; Microwave: 1mm-1m; Infrared: 700nm-1mm; Visible light: 380nm(violet)-700nm(red); UV: 10nm-380nm; X-rays: 0.01nm-10nm; Gamma rays: <0.01nm. Human eye sees wavelengths from violet (~400nm) to red (~700nm).

Wavelength determines how waves interact with matter. It affects color (visible light), penetration depth (medical imaging), antenna size (communications), and diffraction patterns (how waves bend around obstacles). Different wavelengths have different applications.

Yes! When waves enter a different medium, their speed changes but frequency stays constant. Since λ = v/f, wavelength changes. Light slows down in water, so its wavelength shortens. This causes refraction (bending).

Sound at 20Hz (low bass) has wavelength ~17m; 1000Hz (high pitch) ~34cm; 20,000Hz (upper hearing limit) ~1.7cm. Sound wavelength depends on temperature since sound speed varies with temperature (343 m/s at 20°C).