Wave Calculator - Frequency, Wavelength, Velocity
🌊 Wave Phenomena Calculator
Waves are oscillations that propagate through space and time. This calculator helps determine the fundamental parameters of various types of waves.
📐 Key Formulas:
- Wave speed: v = fλ = λ/T
- Frequency-period relation: f = 1/T
- Wavelength: λ = v/f = vT
- Frequency: f = v/λ = 1/T
🔊 Types of Waves:
- Sound waves: v ≈ 343 m/s (in air at 20°C)
- Light waves: c = 3×10⁸ m/s (in vacuum)
- Radio waves: v ≈ c (electromagnetic waves)
- Water waves: depends on depth and other factors
🎯 Applications:
- Acoustics and musical instruments
- Radio and telecommunications
- Medical diagnostics (ultrasound)
- Seismology and geophysics
- Optics and spectroscopy
🎵 Frequency Ranges:
- Infrasound: < 20 Hz
- Audible sound: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Ultrasound: > 20 kHz
- Radio waves: 3 kHz - 300 GHz
📊 Variables explained:
- f - Frequency (Hz) - oscillations per second
- λ - Wavelength (m) - distance between wave peaks
- v - Wave speed (m/s) - propagation velocity
- T - Period (s) - time for one complete oscillation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wavelength?
Wavelength (λ) is the distance between two adjacent points on a wave that oscillate in the same phase. It's measured in meters.
How do frequency and period relate?
Frequency (f) shows the number of oscillations per second (Hz), while period (T) is the time for one complete oscillation (s). They are inversely proportional: f = 1/T.
What affects the speed of sound?
Sound speed depends on the medium, temperature, pressure, and humidity. In air at 20°C, it's approximately 343 m/s.
What is resonance?
Resonance occurs when the frequency of an external force matches the natural frequency of an oscillating system, leading to a significant increase in amplitude.
How many parameters do I need to calculate the rest?
You need to provide at least 2 of the 4 wave parameters (frequency, wavelength, velocity, period) to calculate the remaining values.