Mathematical Relationship Between Speed of Light ...



Mathematical Relationship Between Speed of Light, Frequency, and Wavelength Name:

Hour:

1. Sketch a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum, including: (a) seven classes of radiation discussed in class; (b) radiation with longest wavelength; (c) radiation with shortest wavelength; (d) radiation with lowest frequency; (e) radiation with the highest frequency.

For all waves, the speed of the wave is equal to its frequency multiplied by it wavelength. Light acts like a wave, so the speed of light = frequency (f) times wavelength (λ) , or in equation form:

c = f λ

For light traveling through space, c = 3.00 x 108 m/s = 3.00 E 8 m/s

2. Use the equation above to calculate the wavelengths of the following examples of electromagnetic radiation.

a. FM radio waves, f = 100 mHz, or 100,000,000 Hz

b. microwaves, f = 1 x 1010 Hz

c. infrared, f = 1 x 1013 Hz

d. visible light (red), f = 4.3 x 1014 Hz

3. Calculate the frequencies of the following examples of electromagnetic radiation.

a. visible light (violet) λ = 4(10)-7 m

f. ultraviolet (UV) λ = 3 E -8 m

g. x-ray, λ = 3 E -10 m

h. gamma rays, λ = 1 E -15 m

3. The amount of energy carried by an electromagnetic wave is directly proportional to its frequency, and can be calculated by the equation: energy (E) = Planck’s constant (h) multiplied by frequency (f), or in equation form:

E = h f

Rank the types of radiation given in problem 2 in order, from highest energy to lowest energy.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download