Question

How do you convert wavelength to frequency in spectroscopy?

Answer 1

To convert wavelength to frequency in spectroscopy, you can use the following equation:

$c=\lambda \cdot \nu$

Where:

• $c$ is the speed of light in a vacuum (approximately $3.00\times 10^8$ meters per second)
• $\lambda$ is the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation in meters
• $\nu$ is the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation in hertz

To convert wavelength to frequency, rearrange the equation as follows:

$\nu =\frac{c}{\lambda }$

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to convert wavelength to frequency using this equation:

1. Determine the wavelength: Measure or obtain the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation of interest. Make sure the wavelength is expressed in meters.

2. Plug the values into the equation: Substitute the speed of light $c$ (approximately $3.00\times 10^8$ m/s) and the wavelength $\lambda$ into the equation.

3. Perform the calculation: Divide the speed of light $c$ by the wavelength $\lambda$ to find the frequency $\nu$. The resulting frequency will be expressed in hertz (Hz).

4. Round if necessary: Depending on the level of precision required, round the frequency value to the appropriate number of significant figures or decimal places.

By following these steps and utilizing the equation involving the speed of light, you can convert wavelength to frequency in spectroscopy.