The relationship between wavelength and frequency for a light wave (or any electromagnetic wave) traveling in a vacuum is governed by a fundamental equation known as the wave equation:
c = λν
In this equation:
- c represents the speed of light in a vacuum, which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.
- λ (lambda) represents the wavelength of the light wave, measured in meters.
- ν (nu) represents the frequency of the light wave, measured in hertz (Hz), which represents the number of cycles or oscillations of the wave per second.
According to the wave equation, the speed of light is constant, and it is equal to the product of the wavelength and frequency of the light wave.
As a consequence of this equation, there is an inverse relationship between the wavelength and frequency of a light wave. When the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa. This relationship holds true for any electromagnetic wave in a vacuum, including visible light, radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, and gamma rays.
It's important to note that the speed of light in a vacuum is a constant value, meaning that the product of the wavelength and frequency of a light wave will always be equal to the speed of light. This relationship allows us to convert between wavelength and frequency and provides a fundamental understanding of the behavior of electromagnetic waves.