The green light emitted by a stoplight has a wavelength of 533 nm. What is the frequency of this photon? (c = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s).

Answer 1

Use the expression: c = λν

c = speed of light = 3.00x10⁸ m/s

λ = wavelength in m = 533x10^-9 m (1 m = 10⁹ nm)

v = frequency = ?

Solving for v, we have...

v = c/λ

v = 3.00x10⁸ m/s / 533x10^-9 m

v = 5.63x10¹⁴ s^-1 = 5.63x10¹⁴ Hz (Hz = 1/s)