Frequency & Wavelength
The relationship between frequency and wavelength defines the physical constraints of antenna design, signal penetration, and transmission line engineering.
Frequency & Wavelength Solver
Electromagnetic Spectrum Analysis (λ = v/f)
The physical size of an antenna is proportional to the wavelength. For example, a half-wave dipole for 2.4 GHz is approximately **6.25 cm**. In copper cabling, the signal travels slower than in a vacuum (VF ≈ 0.67), meaning the same frequency occupies a shorter physical distance on the wire.
The Physics of Propagation
Electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in a vacuum ($c \approx 3 \times 10^8$ m/s). However, when traveling through matter like glass fiber or copper, the signal slows down. This ratio is the Velocity Factor (VF).
In high-speed data transmission (e.g., Cat6a), a signal at 500 MHz has a wavelength of about **40 cm** inside the cable. Understanding these physical dimensions is critical for managing signal reflections and impedance mismatches.
Technical Standards & References
Related Engineering Resources
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