1. What is Wavelength to Frequency Conversion?

The wavelength to frequency conversion is a fundamental relationship in physics that connects these two important properties of electromagnetic waves. The conversion is based on the speed of light and is essential in fields like optics, spectroscopy, and telecommunications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wavelength-frequency equation:

Where:

• \( Hz \) — Frequency in Hertz
• \( nm \) — Wavelength in nanometers
• \( 3 \times 10^8 \) — Speed of light in meters per second

Explanation: The equation converts nanometers to meters (by multiplying by 10⁻⁹), then divides the speed of light by this value to get frequency.

3. Importance of Wavelength-Frequency Relationship

Details: Understanding this relationship is crucial for designing optical systems, analyzing spectral data, and working with electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wavelength in nanometers (nm). The value must be positive. Common visible light wavelengths range from 380 nm (violet) to 750 nm (red).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the speed of light used in this conversion?
A: For all electromagnetic waves, the product of wavelength and frequency equals the speed of light (c = λν).

Q2: What's the frequency of 500 nm light?
A: Approximately 600 THz (6 × 10¹⁴ Hz), which is green light in the visible spectrum.

Q3: Can this calculator be used for other wavelength units?
A: This version specifically uses nanometers. For other units, convert to nm first or modify the equation.

Q4: How precise is this calculation?
A: It uses the standard speed of light (3 × 10⁸ m/s). For higher precision, use 299,792,458 m/s.

Q5: What's the relationship between energy and frequency?
A: Energy is proportional to frequency (E = hν, where h is Planck's constant).