In an electromagnetic wave, the wavelength and time period are inversely related to each other. The relationship between these two properties can be expressed using the wave equation:
c = λν
Where:
- c is the speed of light in a vacuum (approximately 3 x 10^8 meters per second).
- λ (lambda) represents the wavelength of the wave.
- ν (nu) represents the frequency of the wave.
The time period (T) of a wave is the time it takes for one complete cycle of the wave to pass a given point. It is the reciprocal of the frequency (T = 1/ν). In other words, the time period is the duration between successive peaks or troughs of the wave.
Now, if we rearrange the wave equation, we get:
λ = c / ν
Since the frequency (ν) is the reciprocal of the time period (T), we can substitute 1/T for ν:
λ = cT
This equation shows that the wavelength (λ) is equal to the product of the speed of light (c) and the time period (T). It indicates that as the time period increases, the wavelength also increases, and vice versa.
In summary, the wavelength and time period of an electromagnetic wave have an inverse relationship. As the time period increases, the wavelength increases, and as the time period decreases, the wavelength decreases.