Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wavelength'

English Word: wavelength

Key Russian Translations:

• длина волны [ˈdlʲinə ˈvolnɨ] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in scientific, technical, and educational contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun cases and scientific terminology, suitable for learners with a basic grasp of grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

длина волны: [ˈdlʲinə ˈvolnɨ]

Note on длина волны: The stress falls on the first syllable of each word. The "л" in "длина" is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft "l" sound, similar to the "l" in "million".

Audio: Listen to pronunciation (e.g., a sample audio file from a reliable source like Forvo or a custom recording).

Meanings and Usage:

The distance between successive crests of a wave (primary scientific meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• длина волны - Used in physics, optics, and engineering contexts to describe wave properties; formal and precise, often in academic or professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Световая волна имеет длину волны около 550 нанометров в видимом спектре.

  A light wave has a wavelength of about 550 nanometers in the visible spectrum.

• В радиофизике длина волны определяет, как сигнал распространяется в пространстве.

  In radio physics, the wavelength determines how a signal propagates through space.

• Измерение длины волны звука помогает в акустических исследованиях.

  Measuring the wavelength of sound aids in acoustic research.

• Длина волны электромагнитного излучения варьируется от радиоволн до гамма-излучения.

  The wavelength of electromagnetic radiation varies from radio waves to gamma rays.

• В квантовой механике длина волны частицы связана с её импульсом по формуле де Бройля.

  In quantum mechanics, the wavelength of a particle is related to its momentum according to de Broglie's formula.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Длина волны" is a noun phrase where "длина" (length) is a feminine noun and "волны" is the genitive singular form of "волна" (wave). Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. "Длина" follows the standard first-declension pattern for feminine nouns, while "волна" is also feminine and follows a similar pattern.

Here is a table showing the inflections for "длина" and "волна" in various cases (for singular forms, as this phrase is typically used in singular):

Note: The phrase "длина волны" remains relatively stable but changes based on the sentence structure. For plural, it would be "длины волн", following regular plural inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • волновая длина - Essentially the same meaning, but slightly more emphatic in some technical contexts; used interchangeably in most cases.
  • период волны - Refers to the wave period, which is related but not identical; used in wave theory.
• Antonyms:
  • частота - Frequency; contrasts with wavelength as it measures cycles per unit time rather than distance.

Related Phrases:

• электромагнитная волна - Electromagnetic wave; refers to waves with varying wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum.
• длина волны света - Wavelength of light; commonly used in optics to discuss visible and invisible light properties.
• короткая длина волны - Short wavelength; often used for high-energy waves like UV or X-rays, with implications in radiation studies.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "длина волны" directly corresponds to the English "wavelength" in scientific contexts, maintaining a precise one-to-one translation. It is typically used in formal settings such as academia, engineering, or physics discussions. Be mindful of noun case agreements: "волны" is in the genitive case to show possession or relation. When choosing between synonyms like "волновая длина", opt for "длина волны" as it is more standard and neutral. In everyday language, this term is rare outside technical fields, so English learners should focus on contextual usage to avoid sounding overly formal.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "длина волны" with "частота" (frequency): English learners often mix these up, as both relate to waves. Incorrect: "Волна имеет частоту 500 нанометров" (wrongly using frequency for wavelength). Correct: "Волна имеет длину волны 500 нанометров". Explanation: Wavelength measures distance, while frequency measures cycles over time; always check the context to select the right term.

• Forgetting case inflections: Learners might say "длина волна" instead of "длина волны". Incorrect: "Измерьте длина волна" (grammatically incorrect). Correct: "Измерьте длину волны". Explanation: The genitive case is essential for proper agreement in Russian noun phrases.

Cultural Notes:

"Длина волны" is a neutral scientific term without strong cultural connotations, but it reflects Russia's emphasis on physics and engineering education, influenced by historical figures like physicist Pyotr Lebedev. In Russian scientific literature, such terms are deeply rooted in the country's tradition of space exploration and quantum research, making them common in educational contexts.

Related Concepts:

• частота
• амплитуда
• спектр
• волновой фронт