Questions tagged [wavelength]
The wavelength of a sinusoidal wave is the spatial period of the wave—the distance over which the wave's shape repeats, and the inverse of the spatial frequency or wavenumber. Determined by considering the distance between consecutive corresponding points of the same phase, such as crests. Use for wavenumber, wavelength, frequency.
1,017
questions
0
votes
1
answer
39
views
What determines the wavelength in absorption?
When looking at absorption or reflectance spectra, say in the range of 400nm to 2500nm, you can see peaks (or dips) at certain wavelengths, that are characteristic for the material absorbing and ...
15
votes
6
answers
7k
views
Why color depends on frequency and not on wavelength? [duplicate]
To explain my question lets consider this example:
The wavelength of light in a medium is $\lambda=\lambda_{0}/\mu$, where $\lambda_{0}$ is the wavelength in vacuum. A beam of red light ($\lambda_{0}=...
3
votes
0
answers
85
views
Why do water surfaces have persistent "average wavelength" patches?
Have you ever stood above a river or lake and noticed that the surface has visible "patches"? It looks like the surface has different average wavelengths in some areas, leading to the light ...
2
votes
2
answers
96
views
Does gravitational lensing bend light of all wavelengths by the same amount?
Basically I am asking if gravitional lensing is bending or refracting light.
0
votes
1
answer
80
views
Mass in de Broglie Formula
Regarding de Broglie formula
$$\lambda= h/mv$$
here m is relative mass or rest mass?
-3
votes
2
answers
144
views
How many 'wavelengths of length' can a wave have? [closed]
Since a wavelength, $\lambda$, is the length of a entire cycle
How many $\lambda$ (complete cycles) can a composed wave have? I mean, for $n \lambda$, how big can $n$ be? And what does it mean, ...
5
votes
2
answers
943
views
Ultrasonic whistling
My friend from physics who doesn't know whistling says he is good at whistling, but the resonant frequencies are ultrasonic so others cannot hear it.
Could this be right, or is he just bluffing?
...
0
votes
0
answers
52
views
How do we realistically calculate the monochromatic flux of an object in space?
If the collecting area of a telescope is ∆A, and it collects light for a time interval of ∆t, do we just build a telescope with a very small ∆A and make ∆t and ∆λ very small as well?
Also, how do we ...
0
votes
2
answers
161
views
Rigorous derivation of DeBroglie wavelength
I've scoured the internet as much as I can, and I've yet to find a rigorous derivation of the DeBroglie wavelength. They all go something like this:
$$E=\gamma mc^2, \ \gamma \approx 1 \ \therefore\ E=...
0
votes
1
answer
39
views
Why is wavelength of an electromagnetic wave so much loner than what my scope shows?
I made a simple LC Tank circuit which oscillates at 166 kHz. Looking at it using my oscilloscope I can see one cycle of the sine wave takes about 6 microseconds.
Now if I stick and antenna to this I ...
0
votes
1
answer
68
views
What is the spectrum of a broken square drum?
Given a square drum with sides length equal to $L$, the squared raised frequencies are
$(\pi m/L)^2 + (\pi n/L)^2 $ with $m,n \in \mathbb{N}^*$.
Here we have four boundary conditions (no vibration on ...
1
vote
0
answers
34
views
Why doesn't frequency change when the medium of the wave changes, and only depend on the source of the wave? [duplicate]
When the medium of the wave changes, the velocity and the wavelength does change, but not frequency, why?
1
vote
0
answers
47
views
What exactly is matter wave?
Wavelength of matter wave is given by de-broglie as h/p. I want to know wavelength of what wave is being discussed, or specifically what is matter wave? Is it the 'group wave' that has same velocity ...
0
votes
0
answers
42
views
Why Do Harmonic Components Define Wavelength in Diffraction and Interference Phenomena?
I'm exploring the physical principles underlying diffraction and interference, specifically how these phenomena depend on the wavelength of harmonic (sinusoidal) components of a wave. My question ...
0
votes
3
answers
144
views
Why does the equation of a wave contain the term $\omega t$ instead of $vt$ in the wave equation $y=A\sin (kx-\omega t)$?
Why does the equation of a wave contain the term $\omega t$ instead of $vt$ in the wave equation
$$y=A\sin (kx-\omega t).$$
I think of the constant $k$ which for higher values increases the frequency $...