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Answer» i. Wavelength (λ) : - The distance between two consecutive crests or two consecutive troughs in a wave is called wavelength.
- It is represented by Greek letter λ (lambda).
- The SI unit for wavelength is metre (m).
Note : The other units include Angstrom, nanometre, picometer (1 pm = 10-12 m) and micron (1µ = 10-6m). 1Å = 10-8 cm = 10-10m 1nm = 10-9m = 10Å ii. Frequency (ν) : - The number of waves that pass a given point in one second is called frequency.
- It is represented by Greek letter ‘ν’ (nu).
- The SI unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz) or s-1.
Note : 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second (1 cps) The units, kilo Hertz (kHz) and mega Hertz (mHz) are commonly used. 1 kHz = 103 Hz = 103 cps 1 mHz = 106 Hz = 106 cps iii. Wavenumber (\(\bar{\nu}\)) : - The number of wavelengths per unit length is called the wavenumber.
- It is represented by \(\bar{\nu}\) (nu bar).
- The commonly used unit for wavenumber is cm-1 while its SI unit is m-1.
- Wavenumber of a wave is related to the wavelength as follows : \(\bar{\nu}\) = \(\frac{1}{\lambda}\)
iv. Amplitude (A) : - The height of a crest or the depth of a trough from the line of propagation of the wave is called amplitude.
- It is represented by letter ‘A’.
- The square of the amplitude represents the intensity (brightness) of the radiation.
v. Velocity (c) : - The distance travelled by a wave in one second is called the velocity of the wave.
- It is denoted by letter c.
- It is the product of the frequency and wavelength. Hence, c = νλ
- The velocity of all types of electromagnetic radiations (in space or in vacuum) is the same and it is equal to the velocity of light (3 × 1010cm s-1 or 3 × 108 m s-1. However, they may have different wavelengths and frequencies.
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