1. What is the Frequency Formula?

The frequency formula relates the frequency of light to its wavelength and the speed of light. It provides a fundamental relationship in wave physics and electromagnetic theory.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the frequency formula:

Where:

• \( f \) — Frequency in Hertz (Hz)
• \( c \) — Speed of light (3 × 10⁸ m/s)
• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength in meters (m)

Explanation: The equation shows that frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength - as wavelength increases, frequency decreases, and vice versa.

3. Importance of Frequency Calculation

Details: Calculating frequency from wavelength is essential in optics, radio communications, spectroscopy, and many areas of physics and engineering.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters. The value must be positive and non-zero. For very small wavelengths (like visible light), use scientific notation (e.g., 5.5e-7 for 550 nm).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the speed of light used in the calculation?
A: The calculator uses the standard value of 299,792,458 m/s (often approximated as 3 × 10⁸ m/s).

Q2: Can I use this for other waves besides light?
A: Yes, the formula applies to any electromagnetic wave, and with appropriate constants, to sound waves and other wave phenomena.

Q3: How do I convert nanometers to meters?
A: 1 nanometer = 10⁻⁹ meters. So 500 nm = 500 × 10⁻⁹ m = 5 × 10⁻⁷ m.

Q4: What's the frequency range of visible light?
A: Approximately 430-750 THz (4.3 × 10¹⁴ to 7.5 × 10¹⁴ Hz), corresponding to wavelengths of 400-700 nm.

Q5: Why does frequency matter?
A: Frequency determines a wave's energy (higher frequency = higher energy) and how it interacts with matter (e.g., which colors we see).