2.5 Yellow light emitted from a sodium lamp has a wavelength (λ) of 580 nm. Calculate the frequency (ν) and wavenumber () of the yellow light.

From the expression,
λ = cv
We get,
λ = cv                ……………………………………. (i)
Where, ν = frequency of yellow light

c = velocity of light in vacuum = 3 × 108 m/s
λ = wavelength of yellow light = 580 nm = 580 × 10-9 m
Substituting the values in expression (i):
v = 3 x 108580 x 10-9 = 5.17 x 1014 s-1
Thus, frequency of yellow light emitted from the sodium lamp =
5.17 × 1014 s-1
Wave number of yellow light v = 1λ
= 1580 x 10-19 = 1.72 x 106 m-1