Frequency-Wavelength Converter
Convert between frequency and wavelength for electromagnetic waves in various media.
Settings
Enter a valid positive speed.
Input Frequency
Please enter a valid number.
Output Wavelength
Quick Examples (Light in Vacuum)
Frequency, Wavelength, and Speed
Frequency (f), wavelength (λ), and the speed of propagation (c or v) of a wave are related by the fundamental equation: c = f × λ.
- Frequency (f): The number of wave cycles that pass a point per unit of time. SI unit: Hertz (Hz), which is 1/second.
- Wavelength (λ): The spatial period of the wave, the distance over which the wave’s shape repeats. SI unit: meter (m).
- Speed of Propagation (c or v): The speed at which the wave travels through a medium. For electromagnetic waves in a vacuum, this is the speed of light (c ≈ 299,792,458 m/s). This speed changes in different media.
| Medium | Speed (m/s) | Refractive Index (n ≈ cvacuum/vmedium) |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum | 299,792,458 (exact by definition) | 1 (exact) |
| Air (STP) | ~299,700,000 | ~1.0003 |
| Water (20°C) | ~225,000,000 | ~1.333 |
| Glass (Crown) | ~197,000,000 | ~1.52 |