In physics, energy is related to frequency and wavelength through the fundamental equation:
Energy = Planck's constant * Frequency
This equation is known as the Planck-Einstein relation or the energy-frequency relation. It states that the energy (E) of a photon or a quantum of electromagnetic radiation is directly proportional to its frequency (f). The constant of proportionality is Planck's constant (h), which has a value of approximately 6.626 x 10^-34 joule-seconds.
In the context of electromagnetic waves, such as light, frequency (f) is the number of wave cycles that pass a given point per unit of time. It is measured in hertz (Hz). Wavelength (λ), on the other hand, is the distance between two consecutive points in a wave that are in phase with each other. It is typically measured in meters.
The relationship between frequency and wavelength is given by:
c = λf
where:
- c is the speed of light in a vacuum (approximately 3 x 10^8 meters per second)
- λ is the wavelength
- f is the frequency
From this equation, it follows that as the frequency of a wave increases, the wavelength decreases, and vice versa. This relationship holds true for all types of electromagnetic waves, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays.
So, in summary, energy is directly proportional to frequency, and frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength. As the frequency increases, the energy of the wave increases, and as the wavelength increases, the energy decreases.