Homework #1

Please answer all questions completely. If calculations are required, show enough steps so that I can follow your reasoning.

#1, What is meant by "wavelength"?

#2 What is meant by the "period" of a wave?

#3. You are sitting on a beach watching the waves roll in. In 12 seconds, 6 waves roll by. What is the period of the waves (T)? What is their frequency? (f)

#4 What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

#5 An AM radio station broadcasts at a frequency of 660 kHz. (note that k means 1000) Since radio waves move at the same speed as light waves, what is the wavelength of this radio wave?

#6 Compare your answer to problem #4 to the example on page 7, which is for an FM station broadcasting at 100 MHz (M = 1 000 000). Which type of broadcast, AM or FM, has longer wavelength waves?

#7 List the electromagnetic spectrum in order of INCREASING wavelength (shortest to longest).

#8 List the colors of the visible spectrum in order of INCREASING wavelength (shortest to longest).

#9 What colors correspond to the following wavelengths:

a)450 nm

b)550 nm

c)650 nm

#10 What is an instrument that allows scientists to study light spectra?