Question

Calculate the wavelength of each frequency of electromagnetic radiation: a. 100.2 MHz (typical frequency for FM radio broadcasting) b. 1070 kHz (typical frequency for AM radio broadcasting) (assume four significant figures) c. 835.6 MHz (common frequency used for cell phone communication)

Answer 1

Answer:

a). 100.2 MHz (typical frequency for FM radio broadcasting)

The wavelength of a frequency of 100.2 Mhz is 2.99m.

b. 1070 kHz (typical frequency for AM radio broadcasting) (assume four significant figures)

The wavelength of a frequency of 1070 khz is 280.3 m.

c. 835.6 MHz (common frequency used for cell phone communication)

The wavelength of a frequency of 835.6 Mhz is 0.35m.

Explanation:

The wavelength can be determined by the following equation:

$c = \lambda \cdot \nu$  (1)

Where c is the speed of light, $\lambda$ is the wavelength and $\nu$ is the frequency.  

Notice that since it is electromagnetic radiation, equation 1 can be used. Remember that light propagates in the form of an electromagnetic wave.

a). 100.2 MHz (typical frequency for FM radio broadcasting)

Then, $\lambda$ can be isolated from equation 1:

$\lambda = \frac{c}{\nu}$ (2)

since the value of c is $3x10^{8}m/s$. It is necessary to express the frequency in units of hertz.

$\nu = 100.2 MHz . \frac{1x10^{6}Hz}{1MHz}$ ⇒ $100200000Hz$

But $1Hz = s^{-1}$

$\nu = 100200000s^{-1}$

Finally, equation 2 can be used:

$\lambda = \frac{3x10^{8}m/s}{100200000s^{-1}}$

$\lambda = 2.99 m$

Hence, the wavelength of a frequency of 100.2 Mhz is 2.99m.

b. 1070 kHz (typical frequency for AM radio broadcasting) (assume four significant figures)

$\nu = 1070kHz . \frac{1000Hz}{1kHz}$ ⇒ $1070000Hz$

But  $1Hz = s^{-1}$

$\nu = 1070000s^{-1}$

Finally, equation 2 can be used:

$\lambda = \frac{3x10^{8}m/s}{1070000s^{-1}}$

$\lambda = 280.3 m$

Hence, the wavelength of a frequency of 1070 khz is 280.3 m.

c. 835.6 MHz (common frequency used for cell phone communication)

$\nu = 835.6MHz . \frac{1x10^{6}Hz}{1MHz}$ ⇒ $835600000Hz$

But  $1Hz = s^{-1}$

$\nu = 835600000s^{-1}$

Finally, equation 2 can be used:

$\lambda = \frac{3x10^{8}m/s}{835600000s^{-1}}$

$\lambda = 0.35 m$

Hence, the wavelength of a frequency of 835.6 Mhz is 0.35m.