Hullámhosszváltozás

Hullámhosszváltozás refers to the change in wavelength of a wave as it passes from one medium to another. This phenomenon is primarily observed in light waves and sound waves. When a wave enters a new medium, its speed changes. However, its frequency typically remains constant. Since the speed of a wave (v), its frequency (f), and its wavelength (λ) are related by the equation v = fλ, if the speed changes and the frequency stays the same, the wavelength must also change.

The extent of the hullámhosszváltozás depends on the optical or acoustic properties of the two media involved, specifically their refractive index for light or their acoustic impedance for sound. For light, a higher refractive index generally means a slower speed and therefore a shorter wavelength. This principle is fundamental to how prisms disperse white light into its constituent colors, as each color (which corresponds to a specific wavelength) bends at a slightly different angle due to differences in refractive index.

In acoustics, the change in speed and wavelength occurs when sound travels through materials of different densities or elasticities. For example, sound travels faster in solids than in liquids, and faster in liquids than in gases, leading to corresponding changes in wavelength. Understanding hullámhosszváltozás is crucial in various fields, including optics, acoustics, and telecommunications, as it affects how waves propagate and interact with their surroundings.