Question

The speed of light is 3.0 x 10^8 m/s. If the wavelength of a light wave is 5.8 x 10^-7 m, what is its frequency

Answer 1

The frequency is 517.24 THz

Step-by-step explanation:

Given:

The speed of light = 3.0 x
`10^(8)` m/s

The wavelength of light wave = 5.8 x
`10^(-7)` m

Frequency = ?

We know that the relation among speed of light, wavelength and frequency is given by

c = νλ , where

c is speed of light

ν is the frequency

λ is the wavelength

To find the frequency(ν):

ν = c / λ

=
`(3.0 x 10^(8) ms^(-1) )/(5.8 x 10^(-7)m )`

=
`(3)/(5.8)` x
`10^(15)`

= (3000/5.8) x
`10^(12)`

= 517.24 x
`10^(12)`
`s^(-1)`

= 517.24 x
`10^(12)` Hz (since 1
`s^(-1)` = 1 Hz)

= 517.24 THz (Tera Hertz)

Hence the frequency is 517.24 THz.