PHY120 WEEK 5 EXAMPLE PROBLEMS
1. What is the peak wavelength of the blackbody radiation emitted by a dog
with a normal body temperature of 102.5o F?
This problem requires the use of Wien's Law which shows the relationship
between the temperature of an object and the peak wavelength of radiation
that it emits.
0.0029
λ= 𝑇
Where T is temperature in Kelvin. So, the first thing we need to do is
convert our dog’s temperature to Kelvin. Google reveals that 102.5o F
equals 312.32 K. So, our peak wavelength will be:
0.0029 0.0029 −6
λ= 𝑇
= 312.32 𝐾
= 9. 28 × 10 𝑚
2. What is the temperature of an object emitting a wavelength of 750 nm?
A nanometer (nm) is 10-9 meters. So, λ = 750 nm = 750 x 10-9 m. Just like
the last problem, we are using Wien's Law, but this time we are given
wavelength. So, we solve the problem like so…
0.0029 0.0029
𝑇= λ
= −9 = 3866 𝐾
750×10 𝑚
3. An object placed 1.54 cm from a mirror forms an image 5 cm behind the
mirror. Find the focal length of the mirror.
To solve this problem, you are using the thin lens/mirror equation.
Object = The item you are viewing through the mirror/lens.
Image = The image formed by the mirror/lens.
PHY120 WEEK 5 EXAMPLE PROBLEMS
s = distance of object from center line of mirror/lens
p = distance of image from center line of mirror/lens
f = focal point of mirror/lens
The following is the actual thin lens/mirror equation:
1 1 1
𝑓
= 𝑠
+ 𝑝
We also need to know the sign convention for mirrors/lenses.
● Object in front of mirror/lens = positive
● Object in back of mirror/lens = negative
● Image in front of mirror/lens = positive
● Image in back of mirror/lens = negative
Basically, if the object / image is positive, it is real.
If the object / image is negative it is virtual.
Back to our problem now. Given s = 1.54 cm and p = -5 cm, find f.
1 1 1
𝑓
= 𝑠
+ 𝑝
1 1 1
𝑓
= 1.54
+ −5
1 3.46
𝑓
= 7.7
PHY120 WEEK 5 EXAMPLE PROBLEMS
f = 2.23 cm
4. An object viewed through a convex lens with a focal length of 12 cm forms
an image at a distance of 2 cm, find the distance between lens and object.
1 1 1
𝑓
= 𝑠
+ 𝑝
1 1 1
12
= 𝑠
+ 2
1 1 1 −5
𝑠
= 12
− 2
= 12
s = -2.4 cm
5. An object 3.5 cm tall is placed in front of a mirror. An image with a height
of 2.5 cm is formed 5 cm behind the mirror. Find the distance between
object and mirror.
This problem requires the use of the magnification formula.
𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑝
𝑀 = 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
= − 𝑠
Here’s how you would set this problem up …
PHY120 WEEK 5 EXAMPLE PROBLEMS
2.5 (−5)
3.5
= − 𝑠
5 · 3.5
𝑠 = 2.5
= 7 𝑐𝑚
6. If an object is 3 m tall and 9 m from a large mirror with an image formed 4.5
m in front of the mirror, find the height of the image.
𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 4.5
3
= − 9
image height = -1.5 m
7. An object 13 cm in front of a convex mirror forms an image 7 cm behind the
mirror. What is the focal length of the mirror?
In this problem, it states that the mirror forms an image 7 cm behind so this
means that the image distance is si = - 7 cm. The formula setup is then …
1 1 1
𝑓
= 𝑠
+ 𝑠
1 1 1
𝑓
= 13
+ −7
PHY120 WEEK 5 EXAMPLE PROBLEMS
1 −6
𝑓
= 91
f = -15.2 cm
8. Find the energy of a photon of frequency of 4.5 x 1017 Hz.
This problem uses the following formula: E = hf
Where E = energy, h = 6.63 x 10-34 J s (called Planck’s Constant), and f is the
frequency in Hertz. High frequency radiation has more energy than low
frequency radiation.
E = (6.63 x 10-34 J s)(4.5 x 1017 Hz) = 2.98 x 10-16 J
Note - This formula gives you the energy of a single photon of light .
9. What is the frequency of a photon with an energy of 5.5 x 10-19 J?
Since E = hf, then f = E/h = 5.5 x 10-19 J / 6.63 x 10-34 J s = 8.29 x 1014 Hz
[Link] speed of light in an unknown medium is measured to be 2.32 x 108 m/s.
What is the index of refraction of the medium?
𝑐
The index of refraction formula is 𝑛 = where c is the speed of light
𝑣
(3x108 m/s) and v is the speed of light in the medium.
8
𝑐 3×10 𝑚/𝑠
𝑛 = 𝑣
= 8 = 1. 29
2.32×10 𝑚/𝑠
PHY120 WEEK 5 EXAMPLE PROBLEMS
[Link] index of refraction in diabrainium is 2.37. What is the speed of light in
diabrainium?
𝑐
Solve the index of refraction formula for v to get: 𝑣 = 𝑛
8
3×10 𝑚/𝑠 8
𝑣 = 2.37
= 1. 26 × 10 𝑚/𝑠
[Link] a fast-paced laser and electronic timing circuitry, you find that light
travels 3 m within a plastic rod in 12 ns. What is the refractive index of the
plastic?
Refraction is basically a diversion along the direction of travel as waves pass from
one medium to another. In this case, from air into the plastic. In the diagram
below, light travels from a vacuum into another medium (plastic, water, air,
whatever). In this new medium, light travels slower so its waves are bent towards
the normal line in the diagram.
PHY120 WEEK 5 EXAMPLE PROBLEMS
The index of refraction (n) for the material in the medium is the ratio of the speed
of light (c) in a vacuum to its velocity (v) in the medium.
n = c/v
For this problem, we need to find v first. We are given distance and time.
d=3m
t = 12 ns = 12 x 10-9 s
So the velocity will be …
𝑑 3𝑚 8
𝑣 = 𝑡
= −9 = 2. 5 × 10 𝑚/𝑠
12×10 𝑠
Therefore, the index of refraction will be …
8
𝑐 3×10 𝑚/𝑠
𝑛 = 𝑣
= 8 = 1. 20
2.5×10 𝑚/𝑠