The relationship between frequency, period, and wavelength of light waves is governed by the fundamental equation:
c = λf
Where:
- c represents the speed of light in a vacuum (approximately 299,792,458 meters per second).
- λ (lambda) represents the wavelength of the light wave, measured in meters.
- f represents the frequency of the light wave, measured in hertz (cycles per second).
The equation states that the speed of light is equal to the product of the wavelength and frequency of the light wave.
From this equation, we can derive the following relationships:
Frequency and Period: The frequency (f) is the number of cycles (or wave crests) that pass a given point in one second. The period (T) is the time it takes for one complete cycle to occur. The two are reciprocals of each other: T = 1/f or f = 1/T
Wavelength and Frequency: The wavelength (λ) is the distance between two consecutive wave crests (or any equivalent points on the wave). The frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional: λ = c/f or f = c/λ
Wavelength and Period: The wavelength and period are directly proportional, as both represent the spatial and temporal aspects of a wave, respectively: λ = cT or T = λ/c
In summary, the speed of light (c) is constant, and the relationship between frequency (f), period (T), and wavelength (λ) is determined by the equation c = λf. Changes in one of these properties will affect the others according to the relationships described above.