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This is probably an elementary question, but I can't seem to figure it out. How does one convert nm to inverse cm?

For example, if I start with 10 nm, my first step would be to flip the fraction so it becomes 1/(10 nm)then just proceed normally. But I end up getting the wrong answer...

Nova
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1 Answers1

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You don't, any more than you convert metres to kilograms. They are different dimensions.

Robert Israel
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  • It's actually common in physics when dealing with electromagnetic waves, for reasons that escape me; wavenumber (what gets expressed in cm${}^{-1}$) is the inverse of wavelength (what gets expressed in nm): look here http://www.impublications.com/wavenumber-wavelength-converter – ForgotALot Apr 28 '16 at 04:39
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    But that's not a conversion. The wave has two different quantities associated with it: wave number and wavelength. One is a function of the other, but they are different things. A conversion is when you express the same quantity in different units. – Robert Israel Apr 28 '16 at 04:56