Color, wavelength, and frequency are all related properties of light, but they represent different aspects of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Color refers to the perception of different wavelengths of light by our eyes. When light interacts with an object and is reflected or transmitted, the wavelengths of light that are absorbed or scattered determine the color we perceive. For example, if an object absorbs most wavelengths of light and reflects only red light, we perceive the object as red. The perception of color is subjective and depends on the sensitivity of our eyes and brain.
Wavelength is a physical property of light and refers to the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of an electromagnetic wave. It is commonly denoted by the Greek letter lambda (λ) and is measured in units such as nanometers (nm) or meters (m). Different colors of light correspond to different wavelengths. For example, red light typically has a longer wavelength (around 700 nm), while violet light has a shorter wavelength (around 400 nm).
Frequency is another physical property of light and represents the number of wave cycles that pass a given point in a unit of time. It is commonly denoted by the symbol ν (nu) and is measured in units of hertz (Hz), which represents cycles per second. The frequency of light is inversely proportional to its wavelength. That is, as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation c = λν, where c is the speed of light in a vacuum.
In summary, color is the perceptual experience of different wavelengths of light. Wavelength refers to the distance between consecutive peaks or troughs of an electromagnetic wave, while frequency represents the number of wave cycles per unit of time. They are interconnected through the speed of light, and changes in one property can affect the values of the others.