Final answer:
We cannot see the periodic frequency of light the way we see ocean waves because light waves are much smaller in size. Instead, we perceive different frequencies of light as different colors. When light reflects off the surface of water, its wavelength changes but its frequency remains the same.
Step-by-step explanation:
Light is a wave, and its frequency and wavelength are related by the speed of light, which is a constant. However, we cannot see the periodic frequency of light in the same way we see ocean waves because light waves are much smaller in size. The wavelength of visible light ranges from around 400 to 700 nanometers, while the wavelength of ocean waves is typically several meters.
Instead of seeing the frequency directly, we perceive different frequencies of light as different colors. Each color corresponds to a specific range of frequencies. For example, red light has a lower frequency and longer wavelength compared to blue light, which has a higher frequency and shorter wavelength.
When light reflects off the surface of water, its wavelength, speed, and frequency can change. The speed of light in a medium, like water, is slower than its speed in a vacuum, so the wavelength of the reflected light becomes shorter. However, the frequency of the light remains the same.