Frequency & Wavelength Converter

Convert between Hz, MHz, GHz, wavelength in meters, and other electromagnetic spectrum units

About Frequency & Wavelength

What is Frequency?

Frequency is a fundamental property of waves that measures how many complete wave cycles occur per unit of time. In the context of electromagnetic waves, frequency determines the energy and characteristics of the radiation. The SI unit for frequency is the Hertz (Hz), defined as one cycle per second.

Mathematically, frequency (f) is calculated as: f = 1/T, where T is the period of the wave (time for one complete cycle). Higher frequencies correspond to shorter periods and greater energy per photon.

What is Wavelength?

Wavelength is the spatial period of a wave—the distance over which the wave's shape repeats. It is measured as the distance between consecutive corresponding points of the same phase, such as from crest to crest or trough to trough. The SI unit for wavelength is the meter (m).

Wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency, meaning shorter wavelengths correspond to higher frequencies and vice versa. This relationship is fundamental to understanding the electromagnetic spectrum.

The Fundamental Wave Equation

Wave Equation: c = f × λ

Where:

  • c = speed of light in vacuum (299,792,458 m/s)
  • f = frequency in Hertz (Hz)
  • λ = wavelength in meters (m)

This equation shows that frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional. As frequency increases, wavelength decreases proportionally, and vice versa. The speed of light is constant in vacuum, making this relationship essential for all electromagnetic calculations.

Common Frequency and Wavelength Units

UnitSymbolConversion FactorExample
HertzHz1 Hz1 cycle/second
KilohertzkHz1,000 HzAM radio frequencies
MegahertzMHz1,000,000 HzFM radio, WiFi
GigahertzGHz1,000,000,000 Hz5G networks, radar
TerahertzTHz1,000,000,000,000 HzInfrared radiation

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

RegionFrequency RangeWavelength RangeApplications
Radio Waves3 kHz - 300 GHz100 km - 1 mmBroadcasting, communications
Microwaves300 MHz - 300 GHz1 m - 1 mmCooking, radar, satellite
Infrared300 GHz - 400 THz1 mm - 750 nmThermal imaging, remote controls
Visible Light400-800 THz750-380 nmVision, photography, displays
Ultraviolet800 THz - 30 PHz380-10 nmSterilization, tanning
X-rays30 PHz - 30 EHz10 nm - 10 pmMedical imaging, security

Practical Applications and Industries

Telecommunications

  • • Mobile phone networks (4G/5G)
  • • WiFi and Bluetooth technology
  • • Satellite communications
  • • Fiber optic data transmission
  • • Radio and television broadcasting

Scientific Research

  • • Spectroscopy and chemical analysis
  • • Astronomy and astrophysics
  • • Quantum physics research
  • • Material science studies
  • • Environmental monitoring

Medical Applications

  • • X-ray imaging and CT scans
  • • MRI and ultrasound
  • • Laser surgery and therapy
  • • Medical device sterilization
  • • Diagnostic spectroscopy

Industrial Uses

  • • Quality control and inspection
  • • Process monitoring
  • • Security and surveillance
  • • Manufacturing automation
  • • Energy efficiency optimization

Frequency-Wavelength Conversion Examples

Example Calculations

Example 1: Convert 100 MHz to wavelength
λ = c/f = 299,792,458 m/s ÷ 100,000,000 Hz = 2.998 meters
Example 2: Convert 500 nm wavelength to frequency
f = c/λ = 299,792,458 m/s ÷ (500 × 10⁻⁹ m) = 599.6 THz
Example 3: Convert 2.4 GHz to wavelength
λ = c/f = 299,792,458 m/s ÷ 2,400,000,000 Hz = 0.125 meters (12.5 cm)

Why Frequency-Wavelength Conversion Matters

Understanding the relationship between frequency and wavelength is crucial for:

  • System Design: Engineers need to match antenna sizes to operating frequencies
  • Interference Avoidance: Different frequency bands must be separated to prevent interference
  • Material Selection: Optical materials must be chosen based on wavelength requirements
  • Safety Considerations: Different frequencies have different biological effects
  • Regulatory Compliance: Frequency allocations are strictly regulated by government agencies
  • Performance Optimization: System performance depends on proper frequency-wavelength matching

Measurement Tools and Instruments

Frequency Measurement

  • • Frequency counters
  • • Spectrum analyzers
  • • Oscilloscopes
  • • Network analyzers
  • • Signal generators

Wavelength Measurement

  • • Interferometers
  • • Diffraction gratings
  • • Spectrometers
  • • Wavemeters
  • • Optical spectrum analyzers

Common Conversion Factors

Quick Reference

Frequency Multipliers:
  • 1 kHz = 1,000 Hz
  • 1 MHz = 1,000 kHz = 1,000,000 Hz
  • 1 GHz = 1,000 MHz = 1,000,000,000 Hz
  • 1 THz = 1,000 GHz = 1,000,000,000,000 Hz
Wavelength Relationships:
  • 1 meter = 100 cm = 1,000 mm
  • 1 μm = 1,000 nm = 10,000 Å
  • 1 nm = 10 Å = 0.001 μm
  • 1 pm = 0.001 nm = 0.000001 μm

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do higher frequencies have shorter wavelengths?

A: This is due to the inverse relationship in the wave equation c = f × λ. Since the speed of light is constant, when frequency increases, wavelength must decrease proportionally to maintain the same speed.

Q: How does frequency affect signal propagation?

A: Higher frequencies generally have shorter range but higher data capacity. Lower frequencies travel further but carry less information. This is why AM radio (kHz) reaches longer distances than FM radio (MHz).

Q: What determines the color of visible light?

A: The color of visible light is determined by its wavelength. Red light has the longest wavelength (~750 nm), while violet light has the shortest (~380 nm). Our eyes perceive different wavelengths as different colors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Frequency Wavelength Conversion