Frequency to Wavelength Converter
Our free signal & frequency converter handles frequency wavelength conversions. See tables, ratios, and examples for quick reference.
Reviewed for accuracy by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator
Frequency to Wavelength Converter
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Formula: Wavelength (lambda) = Speed of wave (v) / Frequency (f)
Worked example โ 100 MHz = 2.998 m wavelength (Radio Wave band)
Formula
Wavelength (lambda) = Speed of wave (v) / Frequency (f)
Divide the speed of the wave by its frequency. In vacuum, the speed is 299,792,458 m/s. In other media, divide the vacuum speed by the refractive index. Wave number is the reciprocal of wavelength.
Worked Examples
Example 1: FM Radio Station Wavelength
Problem:What is the wavelength of a 100 MHz FM radio signal in air?
Solution:Wavelength = speed of light / frequency lambda = 299,792,458 / 100,000,000 lambda = 2.998 meters
Result:100 MHz = 2.998 m wavelength (Radio Wave band)
Example 2: 5G Cellular Wavelength
Problem:Calculate the wavelength of a 28 GHz 5G mmWave signal.
Solution:Wavelength = 299,792,458 / (28 * 10^9) lambda = 299,792,458 / 28,000,000,000 lambda = 0.01071 meters = 10.71 mm
Result:28 GHz = 10.71 mm wavelength (Microwave band)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert frequency to wavelength?
Wavelength equals the speed of the wave divided by its frequency, expressed as lambda = v / f. For electromagnetic waves in a vacuum, v is the speed of light (299,792,458 m/s). For example, an FM radio station at 100 MHz has a wavelength of 299,792,458 / 100,000,000 = 2.998 meters. In other media like water or glass, the speed is reduced by the refractive index, producing shorter wavelengths.
Does wavelength change in different media?
Yes, wavelength changes when a wave enters a different medium because the wave speed changes while the frequency stays constant. The speed in a medium equals the speed of light divided by the refractive index (n). For example, light in glass (n = 1.5) travels at 2/3 the speed of light, so its wavelength is also 2/3 of what it would be in vacuum. This principle is fundamental to optics, fiber communications, and lens design.
What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
The electromagnetic spectrum spans all possible wavelengths and frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. It ranges from radio waves (wavelengths of kilometers) through microwaves, infrared, visible light (380-700 nm), ultraviolet, X-rays, to gamma rays (wavelengths smaller than atoms). All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in vacuum, so higher frequency always means shorter wavelength.
What is a wave number and how is it used?
Wave number (k) is the spatial frequency of a wave, defined as the number of wavelengths per unit distance. It equals 1 divided by the wavelength (k = 1/lambda) in cycles per meter, or 2*pi/lambda in radians per meter. Wave number is widely used in spectroscopy, quantum mechanics, and crystallography because it is directly proportional to energy and momentum of photons.
References
Reviewed for accuracy by Manoj Kumar, Mathematics Educator ยท Editorial policy
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