For electromagnetic radiation, the wavenumber is related to the wavelength by:
Awavenumber = wavelength × c
Bwavenumber = h × wavelength
Cwavenumber = wavelength ÷ c
Dwavenumber = 1 ÷ wavelength
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. wavenumber = 1 ÷ wavelength
1. Wavenumber counts how many waves fit into unit length.
2. So it is simply the reciprocal of the wavelength: $\bar{\nu}=\dfrac{1}{\lambda}$.
3. Frequency is a different quantity, given by $\nu=\dfrac{c}{\lambda}$.
4. Energy links to frequency through $E=h\nu$, and so to wavelength through $E=\dfrac{hc}{\lambda}$.
5. Giving similarities between the wave parameters rather than these mathematical relationships was the recorded error.
_Source: NECTA ACSEE 2023 Chemistry 132/1, Question 4: The Atom_
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