Question #22228

1 Answer
Dylan C.
Dec 2, 2014

You can calculate the frequency(#nu#) of an electromagnetic wave by using the equation:
the speed of light(c)=frequency(#nu#)*wavelength(#lambda#)
#c=nu*lambda#

An important thing to know is that this is an algebraic equation, so we can solve for an individual piece by using our algebra rules; in this case to solve for frequency.
Our new equation would be:
#nu=c/lambda#

Also since the speed of light is given in units of meters/second & the wavelength will be in nanometers, you will have to convert your wavelength to units of meters to get the correct units for frequency (1/second.)

As electromagnetic radiation moves away from its source the positions of maximum and minimum amplitude-peaks and troughs-are regularly spaced.

The distance from peak-peak or from trough-trough is called the wavelength (#lambda#)
whybecausescience.com
you can also use the same method as shown above to solve for #lambda# if you know the #nu#
#lambda=c/nu#

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