Convert hertz [Hz] to wavelength in petametres Online | Free frequency-wavelength Converter

The Fundamental Unit of Frequency

The hertz (Hz) is the standard unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), defined as one cycle per second. It measures how often a repeating event occurs each second, making it a fundamental concept in physics, engineering, and many branches of science.

Frequency measured in hertz is essential for understanding waves and oscillations, including sound waves, electromagnetic waves, and mechanical vibrations. For example, in acoustics, the pitch of a sound corresponds directly to its frequency in hertz—middle C on a piano has a frequency of about 261.6 Hz.

In electrical engineering, hertz measures the frequency of alternating current (AC), with common household power typically operating at 50 or 60 Hz depending on the country. Radio and television broadcasting frequencies, as well as wireless communication signals, are also expressed in hertz and its multiples.

Because hertz represents a single cycle per second, it serves as the base unit from which all other frequency units are derived, including kilohertz, megahertz, and gigahertz. Understanding frequency in hertz allows scientists and engineers to design and analyze systems ranging from audio equipment to complex telecommunications networks.

The Scale of Interstellar and Cosmological Waves

A petametre (Pm) equals 1,000 terametres (10¹⁵ metres), representing unimaginably vast distances that describe the longest electromagnetic wavelengths in the universe. These wavelengths correspond to frequencies in the attohertz (10⁻¹⁸ Hz) and lower ranges, which are mostly relevant in cosmology, astrophysics, and the study of gravitational waves and large-scale cosmic phenomena.

For context, a frequency of 1 attohertz (10⁻¹⁸ Hz) corresponds to a wavelength of approximately 300 petametres. This scale is far beyond any human-made signals and reflects waves that stretch across entire galaxies or even clusters of galaxies. Such waves help scientists study the cosmic microwave background (CMB) fluctuations, the large-scale structure of the universe, and primordial gravitational waves created shortly after the Big Bang.

Using petametres to measure wavelength allows researchers to grasp the vastness of these cosmic oscillations and the slowest processes influencing the universe’s evolution. These extreme wavelengths provide crucial insight into the origins, expansion, and ultimate fate of the cosmos.