What is Wavelength: Definition and 1000 Discussions

In physics, the wavelength is the spatial period of a periodic wave—the distance over which the wave's shape repeats. It is the distance between consecutive corresponding points of the same phase on the wave, such as two adjacent crests, troughs, or zero crossings, and is a characteristic of both traveling waves and standing waves, as well as other spatial wave patterns. The inverse of the wavelength is called the spatial frequency. Wavelength is commonly designated by the Greek letter lambda (λ).
The term wavelength is also sometimes applied to modulated waves, and to the sinusoidal envelopes of modulated waves or waves formed by interference of several sinusoids.Assuming a sinusoidal wave moving at a fixed wave speed, wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency of the wave: waves with higher frequencies have shorter wavelengths, and lower frequencies have longer wavelengths.Wavelength depends on the medium (for example, vacuum, air, or water) that a wave travels through. Examples of waves are sound waves, light, water waves and periodic electrical signals in a conductor. A sound wave is a variation in air pressure, while in light and other electromagnetic radiation the strength of the electric and the magnetic field vary. Water waves are variations in the height of a body of water. In a crystal lattice vibration, atomic positions vary.
The range of wavelengths or frequencies for wave phenomena is called a spectrum. The name originated with the visible light spectrum but now can be applied to the entire electromagnetic spectrum as well as to a sound spectrum or vibration spectrum.

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  1. S

    Infinite wavelength resonant antennas

    Could somebody explain what does mean "infinite wavelength antenna" and what advantages does it have? What is resonant antenna and advantages? http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:fHdO6P-aoIIJ:dspace.nitrkl.ac.in:8080/dspace/bitstream/2080/1320/1/MMET.pdf+&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca
  2. D

    De Broglie wavelength of a tennis ball

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  3. B

    What does Wavelength/degree mean?

    Hi If c(velocity)/f(frequency) = wavelength and 1/f(frequency) * 6 = degrees What does Wavelength/degree mean?? Regards
  4. R

    Wavelength Calculation in a Ripple Tank with Varying Speeds

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  5. R

    If wavelength changes does speed change

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  6. J

    Finding wavelength and intensity of a specific light

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  7. mss90

    Wavelength and linear momentum

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  8. X

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  9. U

    Refraction-Speed difference at different wavelengths

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  10. X

    Troubleshooting Infrared Wavelength Estimation Experiment

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  11. gracy

    De Broglie Wavelength: Moving Particles & Equations

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  12. R

    Finding the theoretical value of the wavelength for a double slit experiment?

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  13. jerromyjon

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  14. D

    Measuring the Wavelength of Light

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  15. K

    Wavelength, speed and frequency question

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  16. J

    De Broglie Wavelength of an electron

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  17. M

    Wavelength uncertainity for particle in a box

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  18. L

    De Broglie wavelength of helium atoms

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  19. F

    Flourescence and self-absorption cause shift in wavelength

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  20. H

    De Broglie wavelength - model for comparing photons and electrons

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  21. N

    Linewidths - Frequency and Wavelength

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  22. F

    Relation of radiation wavelength and photosynthetic photon flux?

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  23. A

    Electromagnetics - finding wavelength from e_r and f

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  24. R

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  25. S

    Are the wavelength of standing wave and sound wave produced same?

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  26. slyrez

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  27. D

    Wavelength of sound affected by the moving observer?

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  28. M

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  29. F

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  30. T

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  31. M

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  32. N

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  33. D

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  34. N

    Finding initial wavelength of photo given angle of deflection

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  35. P

    Bremsstrahlung wavelength range

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  36. J

    Best way of measurement sodium wavelength?

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  37. J

    Wavelength difference of sodium d lines?

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  38. M

    Electron diffraction - effect of electron wavelength

    Hello, I know how electron diffraction works, and that if you decrease the wavelength of the electrons less diffraction occurs, so the rings are smaller, however was wondering what happens if the wavelength is increased? Is it just the opposite? More diffraction so larger rings? I was also...
  39. xortdsc

    De Broglie wavelength computable by just fixing speed of light ?

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  40. S

    Is Wavelength Doubling Laser a Real Technique?

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  41. A

    Mechanistic explanation of de Broglie wavelength

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  42. KiNGGeexD

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  43. S

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  44. STEMucator

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  45. LotusTK

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  46. F

    De Broglie Wavelength Thought Problem

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  47. P

    Calculate Longest & Shortest Wavelength?

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  48. P

    Why in Huygens–Fresnel, Point source should be as small as wavelength?

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  49. Spinnor

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  50. R

    How does the wavelength of a water wave affect diffraction?

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