How to Convert Wavelength to Nanometers

Microwave ovens, radio stations and the Sun and have one thing in common: They emit radiation in the form of waves. Waves are characterized by their wavelength, which describes the distance over which the wave function repeats itself. The wide range of wavelengths includes radio waves measured in kilometers and the colors of the visible light spectrum, which are periodic over less than 1/1000 mm. Visible light is measured in nanometers. You can convert from a variety of linear units to nanometers by simply moving the decimal point.

Things You'll Need

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Instructions

    • 1

      Convert the wavelength unit from a U.S. or imperial linear unit to the S.I. unit of meters. Use the following relationships to convert to meters: 1 meter (m) = 39.27 inch = 3.28 feet. For example, a length of 27 inches = 0.69 m = (27 inch/39.27 inch) x (1 m). A length of 18 feet = 5.49 m = (18 feet/3.28 feet) x (1 m).

    • 2

      Convert the unit from meter to nanometer by multiplying by 10^9. For example, a wavelength of 5.49 m = 5490000000 = (5.49 x 10^9). Multiplying by 10^9 is equivalent to moving the decimal point nine positions to the right.

    • 3

      Write the length units after the wavelength. Use the abbreviation nm for nanometers. For example, a wavelength of 5.49 m converted to nanometers is 5.49 x 10^9 nm.

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