Word For The Day Archive

Wavelength

Denoted by the Greek lower-case lambda symbol (l), the distance between one peak or crest of a sine wave and the next corresponding peak or crest. The wavelength of any frequency may be found by dividing the speed of sound (approximately 1100 feet (or 34 meters) per second at sea level) by the frequency. Thus the wavelength of a 60hz sine wave would be approximately 18.3 feet. Knowing wavelengths of sounds is very important when designing or working with acoustic spaces such as studios, control rooms, and speaker enclosures.