Welcome to the Hertz to NM Calculator! This tool makes it easy to convert frequency (measured in Hertz) into wavelength (in nanometers). It’s especially handy for students, researchers, and engineers working in physics, optics, and communication technologies.
Simply enter the frequency value, and the calculator will quickly return the corresponding wavelength in nanometers. You can start using it right away or keep reading to learn more about the formula, parameters, and an example.
Understanding the Formula
The basic relationship between frequency and wavelength is described by the formula:
Wavelength from Frequency Formula
λ = c / f
Where:
- λ = Wavelength in meters (m)
- c = Speed of light (approximately 299,792,458 m/s)
- f = Frequency in Hertz (Hz)
Conversion to Nanometers (nm):
Wavelength (nm) = (c / f) * 1,000,000,000
This formula first calculates the wavelength in meters, then multiplies it by 10⁹ to express it in nanometers.
In simple words: as the frequency increases, the wavelength decreases, and vice versa.
Parameters Explained
- λ (Wavelength): The distance a wave travels in one cycle. Expressed in nanometers when working with light and electromagnetic waves.
- c (Speed of Light): A universal constant, about 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum.
- f (Frequency): The number of wave cycles per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). Higher frequencies mean shorter wavelengths.
How to Use the Hertz to NM Calculator — Step-by-Step Example
Let’s go through a quick example:
- Input values:
- Frequency (f) = 6 × 10¹⁴ Hz
- Step 1 – Apply the formula:
λ = c / f
λ = 299,792,458 / (6 × 10¹⁴)
λ = 4.99654 × 10⁻⁷ m - Step 2 – Convert to nanometers:
λ = 4.99654 × 10⁻⁷ × 10⁹ = 499.65 nm
Result: A frequency of 6 × 10¹⁴ Hz corresponds to a wavelength of about 500 nm, which falls in the visible green spectrum.
Additional Information
Here’s a quick reference of common frequencies and their wavelengths:
| Frequency (Hz) | Wavelength (nm) | Spectrum Range |
|---|---|---|
| 3 × 10¹⁴ | 1000 nm | Infrared |
| 6 × 10¹⁴ | 500 nm | Visible (Green) |
| 8 × 10¹⁴ | 375 nm | Ultraviolet |
This table shows how frequency relates to light color and spectrum classification.
FAQs
It converts a frequency value into its corresponding wavelength in nanometers using the speed of light formula.
Because 1 meter equals 1 × 10⁹ nanometers. This step ensures the result is in nanometers instead of meters.
< div style="clear:both; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:1em;">Yes, the formula applies to all electromagnetic waves. However, the “nm” unit is most commonly used in optics and photonics.