Astronomy 105

Wavelength-Frequency Relationship

12. Wavelength-Frequency Relationship (Page 56) (Problem 3-1,4-1)
    

    The two basic quantitites which describe a light wave are the frequency f, of the wave (usually given in hertz, HZ, or cycles per second), and the wavelength, . These quantities are related to each other and to the speed of light c, by:

    

    If you know the wavelength of light, you can find the frequency and vice versa. For example if f = 10¹⁵ Hz, the wavelength In some problems the frequency will be given in a unit like MHz (mega-hertz). 1.0 MHz = 10⁶ Hz. In other problems, the wavelength will be given in nano-meters (nm). 1.0 nm = 10^-9 m.

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