Waves and optics

Wave speed - formula in LaTeX

Links wavelength and frequency. For light in vacuum, c takes the place of v. The lowercase lambda is \lambda; frequency is also written with the Greek letter \nu, especially in optics and quantum physics.

v = \lambda f

LaTeX code

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$$
v = \lambda f
$$

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What the symbols mean

$v$: wave speed (m/s)
$\lambda$: wavelength (m)
$f$: frequency (Hz)

A waves and optics formula - common in interference, refraction and quantum physics problems.

Worked example

A 680 Hz sound with a 0.5 m wavelength travels through air at 340 m/s; a hertz is 1/s, so metres times hertz give m/s. Lambda is \lambda, the capital form \Lambda, and in running text both need math mode.

v = \lambda f = 0.5\,\mathrm{m} \cdot 680\,\mathrm{Hz} = 340\,\mathrm{m/s}

LaTeX commands in this formula

\lambda: Greek letter lambda

How to use this formula in LaTeX?

Copy the code with the button above - $$…$$ is centered display math.
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The formula works without extra packages.

Related formulas - Waves and optics

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