In the context of electromagnetic waves, frequency (f) refers to the number of wave cycles or oscillations that occur per unit of time. It is typically measured in hertz (Hz), which represents the number of cycles per second. For example, a frequency of 1 Hz means that one complete wave cycle occurs in one second.
Wavelength (λ) refers to the distance between two corresponding points on a wave, such as the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs. It is commonly measured in meters (m), although it can also be expressed in other units such as nanometers (nm) or micrometers (μm). Wavelength represents the physical length of one complete wave cycle.
The frequency and wavelength of an electromagnetic wave are related by the speed of light (c), which is a constant value in a vacuum and approximately equal to 299,792,458 meters per second (m/s). The relationship can be described by the equation:
c = λ * f
This equation indicates that the speed of light is equal to the product of the wavelength and frequency of the electromagnetic wave. In other words, for a given medium, as the frequency of a wave increases, its wavelength decreases, and vice versa. This relationship holds true for all electromagnetic waves, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays.