What is the speed of light in a vacuum and how can we calculate the frequency of light waves with a given wavelength?
The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 3 × 10^8 meters per second (m/s). The wavelength of light given is 71 kilometers (km), which is equivalent to 71 × 10^3 meters (m). To calculate the frequency, we can use the equation: frequency = speed of light / wavelength. Substituting the values, the frequency of each wave for every second is approximately 4.23 × 10^12 Hz (hertz).
Calculating the Frequency of Light Waves:
The speed of light in a vacuum, as mentioned earlier, is 3 × 10^8 m/s. This constant speed is a fundamental concept in physics and plays a crucial role in various scientific calculations.
Formula for Frequency Calculation:
The formula to calculate the frequency of light waves is frequency = speed of light / wavelength. In this case, the given wavelength is 71 km, which needs to be converted to meters for the calculation. One kilometer is equal to 10^3 meters, so 71 km is equivalent to 71 × 10^3 meters.
Substitute Values:
Substituting the values into the formula, we get:
Frequency = 3 × 10^8 m/s / (71 × 10^3 m)
Frequency ≈ 4.23 × 10^12 Hz
Interpreting the Result:
This means that for every second, light waves with a wavelength of 71 km in a vacuum would complete approximately 4.23 × 10^12 oscillations or cycles. The frequency of the light waves gives us an idea of how many wave crests pass a certain point per unit of time.
In conclusion, understanding the speed of light in a vacuum and how to calculate the frequency of light waves based on their wavelength provides valuable insights into the behavior of electromagnetic radiation. This knowledge is essential in various fields, including physics, optics, and telecommunications.