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How to Determine a Wavelength

Wavelength is the measurement of the distance between two identical points in adjacent cycles of an electromagnetic wave. In addition to visible light and sound or radio waves, there are also infrared, UV, microwaves, gamma-rays and x-rays in the electromagnetic spectrum. To determine wavelength, you'll need the speed of the wave in meters per second, and the frequency in cycles per second. Situational conditions, such as air, water, temperature and vacuum affect sound waves so it may be necessary to measure the speed and frequency yourself before calculating wavelength.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the speed of the wave in meters per second. The speed of sound varies depending on air pressure, humidity, temperature and location above or below sea level. The speed of sound in air is 340 meters per second; the speed of sound in water is 1,500 meters per second. You can set up two microphones in a line moving away from the sound's origin and use a timer to measure how long it takes for the sound to travel between microphones --- measure the distance between microphones and divide it by the travel time.

    • 2

      Determine the frequency in cycles per second using a frequency counter. Frequency is often measured in Hertz --- 100 Hz means 100 waves are created in one second.

    • 3

      Divide the speed by the frequency to determine the wavelength --- your answer will be in meters.

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