Visible Light Data: Wavelength, Frequency, and Energy

Exploring Visible Light Data: Wavelength, Frequency, and Energy

Objective: Students will use nanometer (nm) measurements of visible light wavelengths to determine:

1. The longest and shortest wavelength
   

2. The highest and lowest frequencies
   

3. The most and least energy

Step 1: Understanding Wavelengths in Visible Light

The visible light spectrum consists of different colors, each with a specific wavelength measured in nanometers (nm). Here is the approximate range for each color:

Color	Wavelength (nm)
Red	620 - 750
Orange	590 - 620
Yellow	570 - 590
Green	495 - 570
Blue	450 - 495
Violet	380 - 450

​longest

​shortest

Multiple Choice

Which color has the longest wavelength?

• red

• yellow

• green

• violet

Multiple Choice

Which color has the shortest wavelength?

• red

• yellow

• green

• violet

Step 2: Connecting Wavelength and Frequency

Key Concept: Frequency and wavelength have an inverse relationship. As wavelength increases, frequency decreases and vice versa.

Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz), which represents how many waves pass a point per second. Since frequency and wavelength have a relationship, you can figure out the frequency given a wavelength.

For example: Analyze and interpret the wavelengths in the visible light spectrum. Which wave has the lowest frequency?

​Red

Multiple Choice

Which color has the highest frequency?

• red

• yellow

• blue

• violet

Multiple Choice

Out of the available answer choices, which color has the lowest frequency?

• green

• yellow

• blue

• violet

Multiple Select

How do wavelength and frequency relate to each other?

Hint: Multiple correct answers

• inverse relationship

• As wavelength increases, frequency decreases.

• proportional relationship

• As wavelength increases, frequency increases.

Step 3: Energy and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Key Concept: Energy and frequency have a direct relationship. As frequency increases, energy increases.

We can compare energy levels using this relationship:

• Higher frequency = More energy

• Lower frequency = Less energy
  
  

For example: Analyze and interpret the wavelengths in the visible light spectrum. Which wave has the most energy?

​violet

Reorder

Given the visible light spectrum wavelengths, reorder the colors from most energy (5) to least energy (1)

Hint: not all colors will be used

• violet

• blue

• green

• yellow

• orange

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Done with Lesson and initial Practice

Move onto the next Lesson:

Exploring the EM Spectrum using Exponents: Wavelength, Frequency, and Energy