SCIENCE 10

FREQUENCY AND WAVELENGTH CALCULATION

Direction: Read and study scientific notation before solving the given problems. Show your solution. Box your final
answer.

Scientific Notation is a special way of writing numbers. It makes it easy to use big and small values.

The number is written in two parts:

• Just the digits, with the decimal point placed after the first digit, followed by
• × 10 to a power that puts the decimal point where it should be
(i.e. it shows how many places to move the decimal point).
 EM Wave Equation

All electromagnetic waves can travel through a medium but unlike other types of waves, they can also travel in a
vacuum or empty space. They travel in a vacuum at the speed of 3x108 m/s and denoted as c, the speed of light.
The wave speed, frequency and wavelength are related as shown in the following equation:

v = λf
where v is the wave speed, expressed in meters per second, the frequency f is expressed in Hertz and the wavelength
λ is expressed in meters.
You can use the Triangle EM WAVES Equation to derive
your formula.

For example, If you need to compute for speed. Cover

first the speed quantity with your hand/finger then if
the remaining quantities are side by side the operation
you will use is multiplication. So, the speed formula will
be:

Speed = frequency x wavelength or v = f λ

But if the quantities are overlapping such as in deriving

the formula for frequency the operation your will use
is division. To do this, cover first the frequency
quantity with your hand/finger then since remaining
variable speed and wavelength is overlapping, the
formula for frequency will be:

Frequency = speed ÷ wavelength or f = v ÷ λ

Steps in solving EM Waves Problem

1. Identify the given and the unknown.

2. Derive the formula.
3. Solve the problem.
a. In dividing numbers with scientific notation (see
sample problem), divide first the digits 3 ÷ 2.0 = 1.5
then subtract the exponent 8 – 1 = 7. So the answer in
the sample problem is 1.5 x 107
4. Write the unit. In the sample problem the unit is
Hertz or Hz
 EM WAVE EQUATION WOKSHEET

NAME: ______________________________________ GRADE & SECTION: _____________________

Problem No. 1 (Assume that the waves travel in a vacuum)

An FM radio station broadcasts at a frequency of 107.9 Hz. What is the wavelength of the radio signal?

Given: v =c = ____________________ λ= _____________ f = _______________

Formula: ___________________________

Solution:

Problem No. 2 (Assume that the waves travel in a vacuum)

What is the frequency of a microwave that has a wavelength of 1.6 x 103 m?

Given: v = c =____________________ λ= _____________ f = _______________

Formula: _________________________

Solution: