š Key Concepts
ā¢ Definition of wavelength in basic physics and radio theory
ā¢ Relationship between distance a wave travels in one cycle and its wavelength
ā¢ Standard formula that relates wavelength, frequency, and the speed of light for radio waves
š Think About
ā¢ First, think about how you would describe wavelength on a drawing of a sine wave (for example, from crest to crest or trough to trough). Does that match any of the written options?
ā¢ For radio waves, recall the basic relationship: speed of light = wavelength Ć frequency. If the speed of light in free space is about 300,000 km/s (or 300,000,000 m/s), what kind of simple formula in MHz might you expect for wavelength in centimeters?
ā¢ Check whether any option is mixing a definition in words with a specific numerical formula. Ask yourself: can both statements be simultaneously true, or is one of them clearly wrong based on the physical definition or the math?
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Before You Answer
ā¢ Confirm the physical definition of wavelength: is it tied to time directly, or to the spatial distance corresponding to one complete cycle?
ā¢ Verify whether the expression "centimeter wavelength = 30,000 / frequency MHz" is consistent with the basic formula ( c = \lambda f ) using ( c \approx 3 \times 10^8,\text{m/s} ).
ā¢ Decide if either, both, or neither of the statements correctly describe wavelength according to physics and standard radio formulas.