answersLogoWhite

0

Wavelength, λ, and Frequency, f, are inversely proportional. Their product is a constant, the wave velocity.

For lightwaves, their product is the speed of light, c:

c = λ * f = 299,792,458 m/s,

~= 3.00 * 10**8 m/s, 0.300 m/ns, 30.0 cm/ns,

~= 186,000 mi/s, 11.811 in/ns, 0.984252 ft/ns;

Where ns = nanoseconds, or 10**-9 seconds.

Frequency, f, and Wavelength, λ, describe simple values that can be measured on a moving wave, if it contains a constant signal or, at least, a clearly repetitive waveform.

So, as the wave moves past a reference point like a microphone, or radio receiver, find some repetition in the wave, measure the shortest interval of time, t, that marks the entire repetition. The frequency, f, is simply[1] the reciprocal of that time interval:

f = 1 / t

The wavelength is the measured distance between two identical areas of the waveform (like peaks, troughs, or blips), in adjacent copies of a repeating waveform. Whereas the interval measurements required one wave sensor, plus a fast timer, the wavelength measurements require two wave sensors, accurate distance measurements, but no timer. As the sensors are separated, the two signals will diverge until, at one wavelength separation, the two signals become identical again (difference is minimal).

Sometimes, it is hard to be highly accurate about where, exactly, a single interval starts and stops. However, if you can flawlessly count a large number of repetitions, just do your best to start and stop the timer in the same place on the first and last repetition. Now you get to multiply your accuracy! Divide the total time, Δt, by the number of intervals, n, this average is an improved measurement of interval!

t = Δt / n

If you divide the count by the time interval, you get an improved frequency measurement.

[1] Frequency is a counted number, n, of full waveform repetitions divided by the total elapsed time, Δt.

f = n / Δt

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Physics

The relationship between frequency and wavelength is direct or invurse?

The relationship between frequency and wavelength is inverse. This means that as the frequency of a wave increases, its wavelength decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation: frequency = speed of light / wavelength.


Which of the followiWhich of the following is true of the relationship between frequency and wavelengthng is true of the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

The relationship between frequency and wavelength is inverse: as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa. This is because frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional in a wave, such as in electromagnetic waves.


What is the relationship between the frequency of a wave and its wavelength, specifically in terms of the formula 1/wavelength?

The relationship between the frequency of a wave and its wavelength can be described by the formula: frequency speed of wave / wavelength. This means that as the wavelength of a wave decreases, its frequency increases, and vice versa.


What is the relationship between wavelength frequency and wavelength related?

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related in a wave, meaning that as the wavelength decreases, the frequency increases and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation: speed of light = frequency × wavelength.


What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength for electromagnetic waves?

The relationship between frequency and wavelength for electromagnetic waves is inverse: as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation λ = c/f, where λ is the wavelength, c is the speed of light, and f is the frequency of the wave.

Related Questions

The relationship between frequency and wavelength is direct or invurse?

The relationship between frequency and wavelength is inverse. This means that as the frequency of a wave increases, its wavelength decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation: frequency = speed of light / wavelength.


Which of the followiWhich of the following is true of the relationship between frequency and wavelengthng is true of the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

The relationship between frequency and wavelength is inverse: as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa. This is because frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional in a wave, such as in electromagnetic waves.


Relationship between frequency velocity and wavelength?

Wavelength = (speed) divided by (frequency) Frequency = (speed) divided by (wavelength) Speed = (frequency) times (wavelength)


What is the relationship between the frequency of a wave and its wavelength, specifically in terms of the formula 1/wavelength?

The relationship between the frequency of a wave and its wavelength can be described by the formula: frequency speed of wave / wavelength. This means that as the wavelength of a wave decreases, its frequency increases, and vice versa.


What is the relationship between wavelength frequency and wavelength related?

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related in a wave, meaning that as the wavelength decreases, the frequency increases and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation: speed of light = frequency × wavelength.


What is the relationship between the wavelength and the frequency of radiant energy?

Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional.


What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength for electromagnetic waves?

The relationship between frequency and wavelength for electromagnetic waves is inverse: as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation λ = c/f, where λ is the wavelength, c is the speed of light, and f is the frequency of the wave.


What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency in transverse wave?

The relationship between wavelength and frequency in a transverse wave is inverse. This means that as the wavelength of the wave increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa. Mathematically, the relationship can be expressed as λ = v/f, where λ is the wavelength, v is the speed of the wave, and f is the frequency.


What is the relationship between the velocity frequency and wavelength of a wave?

The velocity of a wave is the product of its frequency and wavelength. This relationship is described by the formula: velocity = frequency x wavelength. This means that as the frequency of a wave increases, its wavelength decreases, and vice versa.


What type of relationship exists between wavelength and frequency?

The relationship between wavelength and frequency is inverse. This means that as wavelength increases, frequency decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is defined by the equation: speed of light = wavelength x frequency.


Is true of the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

a shorter wavelength means higher frequency at a given speed.


What is the true relationship between frequency and wavelength?

a shorter wavelength means higher frequency at a given speed.