Frequency and wavelength are inversely related properties of a wave. Specifically, for a wave traveling at a constant speed, the wavelength (λ) is the distance between successive points of the same phase on the wave, such as crests, while the frequency (ν) is the number of wave crests passing a point per second. The relationship between frequency and wavelength is given by the equation:
λ×ν=v\lambda \times \nu =vλ×ν=v
where vvv is the speed of the wave. For electromagnetic waves in a vacuum, this speed is the speed of light, c≈3.00×108c\approx 3.00\times 10^8c≈3.00×108 meters per second. Thus,
λ×ν=c\lambda \times \nu =cλ×ν=c
This means that as frequency increases, wavelength decreases proportionally, and vice versa. Higher frequency waves have shorter wavelengths, and lower frequency waves have longer wavelengths
. In summary:
- Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional.
- Their product equals the wave speed (for light, the speed of light).
- Increasing frequency means decreasing wavelength, assuming constant wave speed.
This fundamental relationship applies to all waves, including sound, light, and water waves
