Wave Calculator
Compute v = λ·f from any two of: velocity, wavelength, frequency.
Deixe um campo vazio para calcular.
Wave equation: v = λ·f
A wave's propagation speed equals wavelength times frequency: v = λ·f, with period T = 1/f. Sound in air travels at about 343 m/s; light in vacuum at exactly c = 299,792,458 m/s (defined value). For electromagnetic waves: AM radio ~1 MHz → λ ≈ 300 m; FM 100 MHz → λ ≈ 3 m; Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz → λ ≈ 12 cm; 5G mmWave 24–100 GHz → λ in millimeters. Human audible range spans 20 Hz – 20 kHz. The classical wave equation reads ∂²u/∂t² = v²·∂²u/∂x². Waves exhibit interference (constructive/destructive), diffraction, reflection, and refraction — all consequences of the linearity of the wave equation.
Applications
Telecommunications (band choice is dictated by absorption and diffraction at each λ), music (concert A = 440 Hz → λ ≈ 78 cm in air), microwave ovens (2.45 GHz heats water via dielectric absorption), radar, sonar, MRI, and seismology (P and S waves propagate at different speeds through Earth's interior).
FAQ
Why is wavelength shorter at higher frequencies? Because v = λ·f and the speed v is fixed by the medium; higher f forces smaller λ.
Does sound travel at the same speed as light? No — light is roughly a million times faster. That's why you see lightning before hearing thunder.
What's the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves? Transverse waves oscillate perpendicular to propagation (light, waves on a string); longitudinal waves oscillate parallel (sound, P-waves in earthquakes).
Related Tools
Wave Period
Calculate the period of a wave, T = 1 ÷ f, from the frequency f (Hz). The result, in seconds, is the time between two successive crests passing a fixed point — one of the most important properties of an ocean wave. The period determines the wavelength and celerity (in deep water), the depth at which the wave interacts with the bottom, and classifies the sea state: local wind waves have short periods (3-8 s), while swell from distant storms has long periods (10-20 s), travels faster and penetrates deeper. The period is measured by buoys and used in wave forecasting. Enter the wave frequency.
Larmor Frequency
Compute the Larmor angular frequency ω = γ·B (rad/s).
Doppler Effect Calculator
Compute observed frequency in Doppler effect for moving source/observer (sound, c=343 m/s).
Wavenumber
Compute the angular wavenumber k = 2π/λ (rad/m).
Heart Rate Calculator
Compute max HR (220 − age) and training zones (fat burn, aerobic, anaerobic) using the Karvonen method.
Drum Membrane Diameter Calculator
Computes approximate radius of an ideal circular drum membrane for a fundamental frequency using first mode (alpha_01 = 2.404) and transverse wave speed.
The results provided by this tool are for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute professional, financial, medical, legal, tax or accounting advice. Always confirm important decisions with a qualified professional and official sources.