Wavelength is a characteristic of both traveling waves and standing waves, as well as other spatial wave patterns. [3][4] The inverse of the wavelength is called the spatial frequency. Wavelength, distance between corresponding points of two consecutive waves.

Understanding the Context

“Corresponding points” refers to two points or particles in the same phase—i.e., points that have completed identical fractions of their periodic motion. Ionizing radiation is a very high-energy form of electromagnetic radiation. Wavelength – Distance covered by one complete cycle of the electromagnetic wave. In other words, the distance from one peak to another peak or from trough to trough in one wave.

Key Insights

The longer the wavelength of the radiation, the lower its energy. The wavelength, symbol λ (Greek letter lambda) is simply the distance from one crest to the next, or equivalently from one trough to the next, or between any two identical points one full cycle apart. The wavelength is calculated by determining the distance between corresponding points on consecutive waves. Normally this is done by measuring from peak to peak or from trough to trough. The wavelength of a wave describes how long the wave is.

Final Thoughts

The distance from the "crest" (top) of one wave to the crest of the next wave is the wavelength. Alternately, we can measure from the "trough" (bottom) of one wave to the trough of the next wave and get the same value for the wavelength. The wavelength of light is defined as “The distance between the two successive crests or troughs of the light wave”. It is denoted by the Greek letter lambda (λ). Wavelength is usually determined by measuring the distance between repeating patterns. Wavelength is commonly designated by the Greek letter, lambda (λ), and the SI unit of wavelength is nanometers (nm).