The frequency of light waves emitted by a helium-neon laser with a wavelength of 632.8 nm is calculated using the speed of light and the relationship between wavelength and frequency, resulting in approximately 4.74 × 10^14 Hz.
To calculate the frequency of light waves emitted by a helium-neon laser with a wavelength (lambda) of 632.8 nm, we need to use the formula that relates the speed of light (c), wavelength (lambda), and frequency (f): c = lambda * f. The speed of light (c) in a vacuum is a constant, approximately 3.00 × 108 meters per second (m/s). Therefore, the frequency can be determined by rearranging the formula to f = c / lambda.
First, convert the wavelength from nanometers to meters by multiplying by 10-9 (since 1 nm = 1 × 10-9 meters). Substituting the values into the formula, we get:
f = (3.00 × 108 m/s) / (632.8 nm × 10-9 m/nm)
f = (3.00 × 108) / (632.8 × 10-9)
f ≈ 4.74 × 1014 Hz
Therefore, the frequency of the light waves emitted by a helium-neon laser with a wavelength of 632.8 nm is approximately 4.74 × 1014 Hz.