Wavelength Converter
Convert wavelength units and calculate frequency across the electromagnetic spectrum — nanometers, micrometers, angstroms, and more. Free online wavelength converter for optics and physics.
Understanding Wavelength
Wavelength measures the distance between consecutive peaks of a wave. You express wavelength in meters or subunits like nanometers for light. Wavelength determines the color of visible light and the energy of photons.
Wavelength and frequency are inversely related. Shorter wavelength means higher frequency and higher photon energy. The electromagnetic spectrum spans from radio waves (kilometers) to gamma rays (picometers).
Wavelength Formulas
λ = c / f
Wavelength-frequency relationship: Wavelength equals speed of light divided by frequency. c = 299,792,458 m/s in vacuum.
E = h × c / λ
Photon energy: Energy equals Planck constant times speed of light divided by wavelength. E in joules or electronvolts.
λ = λ₀ / n
Wavelength in medium: Wavelength in material equals vacuum wavelength divided by refractive index.
Example: Green light at 550 nm has frequency f = 299,792,458 / 550 × 10⁻⁹ = 545 THz and photon energy E = 2.25 eV.
Common Wavelength Conversions
| Meters (m) | Nanometers (nm) | Micrometers (μm) | Angstroms (Å) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ | 0.1 | 0.0001 | 1 |
| 1 × 10⁻⁹ | 1 | 0.001 | 10 |
| 1 × 10⁻⁶ | 1,000 | 1 | 10,000 |
| 1 × 10⁻³ | 1,000,000 | 1,000 | 10,000,000 |
| 1 | 1 × 10⁹ | 1,000,000 | 10,000,000,000 |
Electromagnetic Spectrum Reference
| Region | Wavelength Range | Frequency Range |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Waves | 1 mm - 100 km | 3 kHz - 300 GHz |
| Microwave | 1 mm - 1 m | 300 MHz - 300 GHz |
| Infrared | 700 nm - 1 mm | 300 GHz - 430 THz |
| Visible Light | 380-750 nm | 400-790 THz |
| Ultraviolet | 10-380 nm | 790 THz - 30 PHz |
| X-rays | 0.01-10 nm | 30 PHz - 30 EHz |
| Gamma Rays | <0.01 nm | >30 EHz |
Visible Light Wavelengths
| Color | Wavelength (nm) | Frequency (THz) |
|---|---|---|
| Violet | 380-450 | 670-790 |
| Blue | 450-495 | 606-670 |
| Green | 495-570 | 526-606 |
| Yellow | 570-590 | 508-526 |
| Orange | 590-620 | 484-508 |
| Red | 620-750 | 400-484 |
Practical Applications
Fiber Optic Communications
Telecommunications use 1,310 nm and 1,550 nm wavelengths. These wavelengths minimize fiber attenuation. Dense wavelength division multiplexing carries multiple channels.
Spectroscopy
Chemical analysis uses absorption at specific wavelengths. UV-Vis spectroscopy covers 190-1,100 nm. Infrared spectroscopy identifies molecular bonds.
Laser Applications
Different wavelengths suit different applications. CO2 lasers at 10.6 μm cut materials. Argon lasers at 488/514 nm suit fluorescence. Diode lasers span visible to infrared.
Remote Sensing
Satellite sensors measure reflected wavelengths. Vegetation reflects strongly at 800 nm. Water absorbs infrared, appearing dark in those bands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert wavelength to frequency?
Use f = c/λ where c is the speed of light (299,792,458 m/s). For wavelength in nanometers, f(Hz) = 299,792,458 × 10⁹ / λ(nm).
What is an angstrom?
Angstrom equals 10⁻¹⁰ meters or 0.1 nanometers. Named after physicist Anders Ångström. Common in atomic physics and crystallography.
Why is the sky blue?
Rayleigh scattering affects shorter wavelengths more strongly. Blue light (450 nm) scatters about 4 times more than red light (650 nm). This scattered blue light reaches your eyes from all directions.
How does wavelength affect photon energy?
Energy is inversely proportional to wavelength. E = hc/λ. Violet photons (400 nm) have about twice the energy of infrared photons (800 nm).
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