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What can be calculated from a wavelength measurement of light?

a) Amplitude
b) Energy
c) Frequency
d) Speed

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The correct option that can be calculated from the wavelength measurement of light is frequency, which can then be used to determine the energy of the light.

Step-by-step explanation:

From a wavelength measurement of light, we can calculate the frequency and, subsequently, the energy of the light. The relationship between wavelength (λ), frequency (v), and the speed of light (c) is expressed by the equation c = fv. Given that the speed of light is a constant (c = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s), by measuring the wavelength, we can rearrange the equation to calculate the frequency as v = c / λ. Once the frequency is known, the energy (E) of a photon can be calculated using Planck's law, expressed as E = hv, where h is the Planck constant (6.626 x 10⁻³4 J s).

The amplitude of a wave, however, is related to the intensity or brightness of light but cannot be directly calculated from wavelength alone. Similarly, the speed of light is a constant and not calculated from the wavelength. Therefore, based on the information provided, the correct option that can be calculated from the wavelength measurement of light is frequency, which can then be used to determine the energy.

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