If a radio station carrier signal is an electromagnetic wave that has a frequency of 103.3 MHz, what is the wave’s wavelength?

Answer 1

The relationship between electromagnetic waves' frequency, wavelength and speed is governed by the wave equation: c = ƒλ, where c is the velocity of light in a vacuum, ƒ is the frequency, and λ is the wavelength.

Taking c to be 3x10⁸ m/s, and the given frequency (given in Megahertz, or 103.3 x 10⁶ Hz⁾, yields:

λ = 3x10⁸ / 103.3 x 10⁶ = 2.904 meters

Answer 2

Hello Jhanard,

The relationship between frequency and wavelength is given by fλ = c, where f is the frequency, λ is the wavelength, and c is the speed of light. Taking c = 3.000 X 10⁸ m/s,

and f = 103.3 MHz = 103.3 X 10⁶ HZ = 1.033 X 10⁸ Hz, we have

(1.033 X 10⁸Hz) λ = 3.000 X 10⁸ m/s,

so

λ = (3.000 X 10⁸ m/s)/(1.033X10⁸Hz)

Checking the units in the above, recall that in the context of this problem, Hz (Hertz) means "cycles per second". We can take cycles as dimensionless, so Hz = 1/s. Thus, the units will come out to meters (m).

λ = 2.904 m.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any questions.

William