
Answer
Calculating the Frequency of Orange Light (λ = 640 nm)
🔬 Step 1: Use the Wave Equation
The frequency of light can be calculated using the equation:
ν = c / λ
where:
• ν = frequency (in s⁻¹)
• c = speed of light = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s
• λ = wavelength (in meters)
🧮 Step 2: Convert Wavelength from nm to m
640 nm = 640 × 10⁻⁹ m = 6.40 × 10⁻⁷ m
⚙️ Step 3: Plug Values into the Equation
ν = (3.00 × 10⁸ m/s) / (6.40 × 10⁻⁷ m)
ν = 4.688 × 10¹⁴ s⁻¹
✅ Final Answer
The frequency of orange light with a wavelength of 640 nm is:
ν = 4.688 × 10¹⁴ s⁻¹
❌ Incorrect Options Explained
- 4.688 × 10⁵ s⁻¹ – Too small by a factor of 10⁹
- 1.920 × 10² s⁻¹ – Incorrect; this is far too low for electromagnetic frequencies
- 1.920 × 10¹¹ s⁻¹ – Too small by a factor of 10³
- 2.133 × 10⁻¹⁵ s⁻¹ – Incorrect; inverse logic, likely confused with wavelength scale
