A cordless telephone is designed to operate at a frequency of \(8.5 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~Hz}\). Determine the wavelength of these telephone waves.

When discussing the characteristics of waves, the term 'frequency' plays a pivotal role. The frequency of a wave, usually denoted by the symbol 'f', refers to the number of full cycles of the wave that pass a given point within one second. It is measured in units called hertz (Hz).

For instance, if a cordless telephone operates at a frequency of 8.5 x 10⁸ Hz, it means that 850 million cycles of that wave occur in just one second. High-frequency waves have shorter wavelengths and typically carry more energy, while low-frequency waves have longer wavelengths and carry less energy.

Understanding frequency is crucial as it directly affects the radiation's ability to transmit information over distance without attenuation, which is vital for devices like cordless telephones that rely on electromagnetic waves to function.

The speed of light, symbolized as 'c', is a universal physical constant that is vital in many areas of physics. In a vacuum, light travels at an incredible speed of approximately 3.0 x 10⁸ meters per second (m/s). This speed can vary based on the medium through which the light is traveling.

In materials like glass or water, light slows down, and this slowing effect is associated with the material's refractive index. The speed of light is not just important for understanding how fast light travels, but it is also a key component in the wave equation that relates frequency and wavelength, and hence is integral when addressing problems related to wave propagation and communications technology.

The wave equation is a fundamental relationship that connects frequency, wavelength, and the speed at which the wave travels. It is elegantly represented as \( c = f \times \lambda \), where 'c' is the speed of light, 'f' is the frequency of the waves, and '\(\lambda\)' (lambda) is the wavelength, or the distance between successive crests of the wave.

Using this equation, we have a powerful tool to determine unknown properties of a wave when given enough information. In the example of the cordless telephone, once you know the operation frequency, you can utilize the wave equation to solve for the wavelength. If the telephone operates at a frequency of 8.5 x 10⁸ Hz and you use the constant speed of light, you can rearrange the formula to \( \lambda = \frac{c}{f} \). This simplicity and universality make the wave equation a cornerstone concept in physics and engineering, serving as the basis for understanding and designing all kinds of wave-based technologies.