What is the wave frequency formula?

The fundamental wave equation is v = f × λ, where v is wave speed (m/s), f is frequency (Hz), and λ is wavelength (m). Rearranged: f = v/λ and λ = v/f. Period T = 1/f. Angular frequency ω = 2πf. Wave number k = 2π/λ.

How do I convert wavelength to frequency?

Use f = v/λ where v is the wave speed in your medium. For light: f = c/λ = 299,792,458 m/s ÷ λ. Example: green light at 550 nm → f = 299,792,458 / 550×10⁻⁹ ≈ 5.45×10¹⁴ Hz (545 THz). For sound in air (20°C): f = 343 / λ.

What is the speed of light vs the speed of sound?

The speed of light in a vacuum is c = 299,792,458 m/s (≈ 3×10⁸ m/s). The speed of sound in air at 20°C is 343 m/s — about 874,000 times slower than light. In water, sound travels at ~1,480 m/s; in steel at ~5,100 m/s.

What are the electromagnetic spectrum ranges?

Radio: 3 kHz–3 GHz. Microwave: 3–300 GHz. Infrared: 300 GHz–430 THz. Visible light: 430–750 THz (700–380 nm). Ultraviolet: 750 THz–30 PHz. X-rays: 30 PHz–3 EHz. Gamma rays: above 3 EHz. Higher frequency = shorter wavelength = more energy per photon.

What is photon energy?

Photon energy E = h × f, where h is Planck's constant (6.626×10⁻³⁴ J·s) and f is frequency. In electron volts: E(eV) = hf / 1.602×10⁻¹⁹. Visible light photons carry about 1.8–3.1 eV. X-ray photons carry 100 eV to 100 keV. Higher frequency = higher energy.

How is musical pitch related to wave frequency?

Each musical note corresponds to a specific sound frequency. Concert A (A4) = 440 Hz. Notes in equal temperament: each semitone up multiplies frequency by 2^(1/12) ≈ 1.0595. An octave doubles the frequency (A5 = 880 Hz). The human hearing range is approximately 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

Wave & Frequency Calculator

Solve for frequency, wavelength, period, or wave speed — with EM spectrum and musical notes reference

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v = f × λwave equation

T = 1/fperiod

ω = 2πfangular freq

E = hfphoton energy

The electromagnetic spectrum spans from radio waves (lowest frequency) to gamma rays (highest). All EM waves travel at the speed of light c = 299,792,458 m/s in a vacuum. Higher frequency = shorter wavelength = more energy per photon.

Band	Frequency Range	Wavelength Range	Photon Energy	Examples

Equal temperament scale tuned to A4 = 440 Hz. Each semitone multiplies frequency by 2^1/12 ≈ 1.0595. An octave doubles the frequency. Wavelengths shown for sound in air at 20°C (343 m/s).

Note	Frequency	Wavelength (air, 20°C)