Can someone explain to me how to answer this problem in simple ways? (I get really confused when it comes to math)
A communications satellite transmits a radio wave at a frequency of 5 • 109 Hz. What is the signal’s wavelength? Assume the wave travels in a vacuum.

Question

Can someone explain to me how to answer this problem in simple ways? (I get really confused when it comes to math)
A communications satellite transmits a radio wave at a frequency of 5 • 109 Hz. What is the signal’s wavelength? Assume the wave travels in a vacuum.

phi · Answer

this is physics
$$ f\lambda = c $$
where f is the frequency, lambda is the wavelength, and c is the speed of light (in a vacuum)

phi · Answer

so divide f into c to find lambda.

apoorvk · Answer

All electromagnetic waves have the same speed 'c' which equals 3x10^8 m/sec
and radio waves are definitely electromagnetic waves.

Now, wave speed = wavelength * frequency

You know the wave speed and the frequency, can you find out the wavelength?

anonymous · Answer

Yes! thank you very much both of you!

phi · Answer

$$ \frac{3\cdot 10^8 \text{m/s} }{5\cdot 10^9 \text{ 1/s}} = \frac{3}{5}\cdot 10^{-1} \text{ m} = 0.6\cdot 10^{-1} m= 0.06 m$$

apoorvk · Answer

You're welcome!