How do you calculate frequency of a wave?

1 Answer
Kathryn Celestine
Jul 14, 2014

Thanks for your question regarding the calculation of the frequency of a wave.

In light (as in sound), the equation for determining frequency involves knowing the speed of the wave, the wavelength of the wave, and the wave's frequency. The equation is:

Speed (or velocity) = wavelength X frequency

If you are dealing with an electromagnetic wave and it is travelling through space or air, its speed is pretty much 2.997 X 1 #0^8# meters/second. If you know the wavelength, you can then determine the frequency of the wave. Please make sure that you have the wavelength in meters as the speed of the wave is in meters/second.

I hope this helps. If you have questions involving Planck's constant and frequency, please ask.

Thanks.

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