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IGCSE Physics, Cambridge 0625, Malaysia

Wavelength

Symbol: \lambda · Unit: m

The distance between two consecutive points in phase on a wave, such as crest to crest.

Wavelength (λ\lambda) is the minimum distance between two points in phase (e.g. crest to crest, trough to trough, compression to compression).

Related to frequency and speed by:

λ=vf\lambda = \frac{v}{f}

Long wavelength = low frequency (and vice versa) for a given wave speed.

Wavelength determines the type of electromagnetic radiation (e.g. radio waves have wavelengths from metres to kilometres; gamma rays have wavelengths less than 101210^{-12} m).

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