Question

The table below shows the wavelengths of visible light that correspond to different colors. A student analyzes the emission spectrum of an unknown element and observes strong lines at the following wavelengths: 656 nm, 486 nm, 434 nm. Which absorption spectrum is the student most likely viewing? Mark this and return

Answer 1

colour with high wavelength it means 656nm

Answer 2

The student is mostly likely viewing the wavelength of 656nm because frequency (f) is inversely proportional to the wavelength (λ). And the 656nm wavelength is higher than the other colour wavelengths. So the frequency is lesser than the two other colours. It can travel the longest of the three.

Consider this image below:

Image source: https://eyelighting.com/lighting-technology-education/general-lighting-basics/light-spectrum

Thus, we can conclude that the colours near the red are of the same wavelength as 656nm.

But, the human eyes are sensitive to green colour which has a wavelength of 500nm that is close to that of 486nm.