Wavelength Physics Example 2

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 2

medium
Red light has a wavelength of 700 nm700 \text{ nm} in a vacuum. What is its frequency? Use c=3×108 m/sc = 3 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}.

Solution

  1. 1
    Convert wavelength: 700 nm=700×10−9 m=7×10−7 m700 \text{ nm} = 700 \times 10^{-9} \text{ m} = 7 \times 10^{-7} \text{ m}.
  2. 2
    Use the light-wave relation: f=cλf = \frac{c}{\lambda}.
  3. 3
    f=3×1087×10−7≈4.29×1014 Hzf = \frac{3 \times 10^8}{7 \times 10^{-7}} \approx 4.29 \times 10^{14} \text{ Hz}

Answer

f≈4.29×1014 Hzf \approx 4.29 \times 10^{14} \text{ Hz}
Visible light is an electromagnetic wave. Different wavelengths correspond to different colors, with red having the longest wavelength and lowest frequency in the visible spectrum.

About Wavelength

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive identical points on a wave, such as from one peak to the next peak or one trough to.

Learn more about Wavelength →

More Wavelength Examples

Example 1 easy

A wave has a speed of [formula] and a frequency of [formula]. What is the wavelength?

Example 3 easy

A water wave has a wavelength of [formula] and a period of [formula]. What is the wave speed?

Example 4 medium

A sound wave has frequency 440 Hz and travels at 343 m/s. Find the wavelength.

Example 5 medium

A radio station broadcasts at [formula]. What is the wavelength of the signal? Use [formula].

← All Wavelength Examples Wavelength Concept

Related Concepts

WavesFrequencyWave Speed