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CHEM 121 Studioby Learn4Less · UBC CHEM 121

CHEM 121 glossary

Wavelength

The distance between two successive crests of a wave, symbol λ\lambda, in m or nm. For light it is tied to frequency by c=λνc = \lambda\nu, so a longer wavelength means a lower frequency and a lower photon energy.

Wavelength and amplitudeA sine wave. The wavelength λ is the distance between two neighbouring crests; the amplitude is the height of a crest above the centre line.wavelength λamplitudefrequency ν: waves passing a point per secondc = λν

λ\lambda is measured crest to crest.

Example

An FM radio station at 100 MHz broadcasts at λ=2.998×1081.00×108=3.00\lambda = \dfrac{2.998\times10^{8}}{1.00\times10^{8}} = 3.00 m, while visible light is only 400–700 nm.

See alsoFrequencyAmplitudePhotonde Broglie wavelength