Question

Question #22228

Answer 1

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`)

you can also use the same method as shown above to solve for `lambda` if you know the `nu`
`lambda=c/nu`