Question

The rainbow of visible colors in the electromagnetic spectrum varies continuously from the longest wavelengths (the reddest colors) to the shortest wavelengths (the deepest violet colors) our eyes can detect. Wavelengths near 655 nm are perceived as red. Those near 515 nm are green and those near 475 nm are blue. Calculate the frequency of light (in Hz) with a wavelength of 655 nm, 515 nm, and 475 nm.

HINT
(a)
655 nm
Hz
(b)
515 nm
Hz
(c)
475 nm
Hz

Answer 1

The frequency of light can be calculated using the formula:

`c = λv`

Where `c` is the speed of light in a vacuum, `λ` is the wavelength of light, and `v` is the frequency of light.

The speed of light in a vacuum is `3.00 × 10^8 m/s`.

To convert the wavelength from nanometers to meters, we need to divide by `1 × 10^9`.

Thus, the frequency of light with a wavelength of 655 nm is:

`v = c/λ`

`v = (3.00 × 10^8 m/s)/(655 × 10^-9 m)`

`v = 4.58 × 10^14 Hz`

Therefore, the frequency of light with a wavelength of 655 nm is `4.58 × 10^14 Hz`.

Similarly, the frequency of light with a wavelength of 515 nm is:

`v = c/λ`

`v = (3.00 × 10^8 m/s)/(515 × 10^-9 m)`

`v = 5.83 × 10^14 Hz`

Therefore, the frequency of light with a wavelength of 515 nm is `5.83 × 10^14 Hz`.

Finally, the frequency of light with a wavelength of 475 nm is:

`v = c/λ`

`v = (3.00 × 10^8 m/s)/(475 × 10^-9 m)`

`v = 6.32 × 10^14 Hz`

Therefore, the frequency of light with a wavelength of 475 nm is `6.32 × 10^14 Hz`.

So, the frequency of light with a wavelength of 655 nm is `4.58 × 10^14 Hz`, the frequency of light with a wavelength of 515 nm is `5.83 × 10^14 Hz` and the frequency of light with a wavelength of 475 nm is `6.32 × 10^14 Hz`.