The relationship between frequency and wavelength is inversely proportional and can be described by the formula:
c = λν
Where:
- c represents the speed of light in a vacuum, which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (or about 186,282 miles per second).
- λ (lambda) represents the wavelength of the wave, typically measured in meters.
- ν (nu) represents the frequency of the wave, typically measured in hertz (Hz).
This formula shows that the speed of light is equal to the product of the wavelength and the frequency of the wave. In other words, the wavelength multiplied by the frequency of a wave always equals the speed of light.
Since the speed of light in a vacuum is a constant, if the frequency of a wave increases, the wavelength decreases, and vice versa. This inverse relationship means that shorter wavelengths correspond to higher frequencies, while longer wavelengths correspond to lower frequencies.
This relationship is fundamental to understanding the nature of electromagnetic waves, including visible light, radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, and gamma rays. It also applies to other types of waves, such as sound waves, where the speed of sound replaces the speed of light in the formula.