1. What is Resolution in Wave Physics?

The resolution of a wave system is fundamentally limited by the wavelength of the waves being used. The Rayleigh criterion states that the minimum resolvable detail is approximately λ/2, where λ is the wavelength.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses two fundamental equations:

Where:

• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength (meters)
• \( f \) — Frequency (Hz)
• \( c \) — Speed of wave propagation (m/s)

Explanation: The calculator can determine resolution from wavelength, or calculate the missing wavelength/frequency if one is provided.

3. Relationship Between Wavelength and Frequency

Details: Wavelength and frequency are inversely related through the wave speed (c = λf). For electromagnetic waves in vacuum, c is the speed of light (299,792,458 m/s).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter either wavelength or frequency (leave the other as 0 to calculate it), and the wave speed. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does λ/2 resolution mean?
A: It means the smallest distinguishable feature is about half the wavelength of the wave being used.

Q2: Why is speed of light the default value?
A: For electromagnetic waves (light, radio, etc.), this is the natural propagation speed in vacuum.

Q3: Can I use this for sound waves?
A: Yes, just change the speed value to the speed of sound in your medium (~343 m/s in air at 20°C).

Q4: What's the practical application of this calculation?
A: Used in designing imaging systems (microscopy, radar, sonar) to determine their resolution limits.

Q5: Is this the same as the Abbe diffraction limit?
A: Related but not identical. The Abbe limit is λ/(2NA) where NA is numerical aperture.