What is the wavelength of a wave?

The wavelength of a wave is the distance between two consecutive points in a wave that are in the same phase.

In more detail, the wavelength is a fundamental property of a wave, particularly of waves that are periodic or cyclic in nature. This includes light waves, sound waves, radio waves, and even waves in water. The wavelength is typically measured from peak to peak or trough to trough, which are points in the wave that are in the same phase. This means they are at the same point in their cycle of oscillation.

The wavelength is usually denoted by the Greek letter lambda (λ) and is measured in metres (m). It is inversely proportional to the frequency of the wave, meaning that the higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength, and vice versa. This relationship is expressed by the equation v = fλ, where v is the speed of the wave, f is the frequency, and λ is the wavelength.

Understanding the wavelength is crucial in many areas of physics and engineering. For example, in optics, the wavelength of light determines its colour. In radio broadcasting, different wavelengths (or frequencies) are used to avoid interference between stations. In quantum mechanics, particles can also be described by wavefunctions, and their wavelengths are related to their momentum and energy.

In summary, the wavelength is a key characteristic of a wave, representing the distance between two identical points in a wave's cycle. It is closely related to the wave's frequency and speed, and has important implications in various fields of science and technology.