Light Spectrum Worksheet
Name_______________
How to calculate the frequency and wavelength of light.
Standard: I am able to complete my assignments on time in a satisfactory manner. My work is clear evidence that I use my
assignments to practice skills as well as to provide evidence of learning and mastery of what I’ve learned. I have the strength of
character to do the job that is asked of me and grow from the experience.
Criterion
0
Homewo rk and Effort
Homework and
The assignment
Effort
does not offer
sufficient
evidence of
student effort.
Points /100
Late Penalty
50
1-2 (Approaches)
3-4 (Meets)
5-6 (Exceeds)
1.The assignment is mostly
complete, OR
2.mostly incorrect, OR
3. Work is NOT shown when
appropriate, OR
4.Writing is NOT legible.
The assignment is
complete and mostly
correct. Work is shown
when appropriate. All
writing is legible.
The assignment is
complete and almost
entirely correct. Work
is shown when
appropriate. All writing
is legible.
65
85
100
Example: What kind of light has a frequency of 4.3 * 1014 /s?
1. Write down the formula above.
2. We know the value of c, so substitute that value in for c. Also substitute any
other values that you know.
3. Use algebra to solve.
4. Convert wavelength to nanometers.
1 m = 1 * 109 nm
5. Once you know the wavelength, use the light spectrum diagram in your notebook
to determine the TYPE of light.
Answer the following problems and show your work.
1. Yellow light has a longer wavelength than green light. Which color of light has the
higher frequency?
Answer_______________________
2. Green light has a lower frequency than blue light. Which color of light has a longer
wavelength?
Answer_______________________
3. Which color of light do plant leaves REFLECT?
Answer_______________________
4. What colors of light does a black Tee Shirt ABSORB?
Answer_______________________
5. Calculate the wavelength of red light with a frequency of 460 * 1012 Hz.
Answer_______________________
6. Calculate the frequency of green light with a wavelength of 530 * 10–9 m.
Answer_______________________
7. The waves used by a microwave oven to cook food have a frequency of 2.45 gigahertz
(2.45 *109 Hz).
Calculate the wavelength of this type of wave.
Answer_______________________
8. What type of light has a frequency of 5.0 * 108 Hz (/s)?
Answer_______________________
STOP: Have Mr. Carter check your answers before moving on
9. A radio station has a frequency of 90.9 megahertz. What is the wavelength of the
radiowaves the station emits from its radio tower?
Answer_______________________
10. An x-ray has a wavelength of 5 nanometers. What is the frequency of x-rays?
Answer_______________________
11. The ultraviolet rays that cause sunburn are called UV-B rays. They have a wavelength
of approximately 300 nanometers. What is the frequency of a UV-B ray?
Answer_______________________
12. Infrared waves from the sun are what make our skin feel warm on a sunny day. If an
infrared wave has a frequency of 3.0 * 1012 Hz, what is its wavelength?
Answer_______________________
13. Electromagnetic waves with the highest amount of energy are called gamma rays.
Gamma rays have wavelengths of less than 10-trillionths of a meter (1.0 * 10-11 m).
a. Determine the frequency that corresponds with this wavelength.
Answer_______________________
b. Is this the minimum or maximum frequency of a gamma ray?
Answer_______________________
14. Use the information from your light spectrum diagram to order the following types of
waves from lowest to highest frequency:
visible light, gamma rays, x-rays, infrared waves, ultraviolet rays, microwaves, and radio
waves.
Answer________________________________________________________________________________
15. Use the information from your light spectrum diagram to order the following types of
waves from shortest to longest:
wavelength: visible light, gamma rays, x-rays, infrared waves, ultraviolet rays,
microwaves, and radiowaves.
Answer________________________________________________________________________________
16. Which type of light would hurt your body the most? _____________
17. Which type of light do we use to transmit information over distances? ____________
18. Which type of light have our eyes evolved to see? _____________
19. Which type of light penetrates most organs, but NOT bones? _____________
20. Which type of light is perfect for heating up water molecules in pizza pockets,
burritos, or popcorn? _____________
21. Which type of light does sunblock protect your skin from? _____________
22. Which type of light mostly heats our planet? _____________
23. Which type of light is the most common here on earth? _____________