Question

When the wavelength of a wave decreases, what happens to the frequency? (2.5 pts total: 1 pt for using both terms, 1 pt for correct relationship, 0.5 pt for using original, complete sentences)

Answer 1

As the wavelength of a wave decreases, the frequency increases. This inverse relationship is consistent across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Step-by-step explanation:

Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional: As the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases. For example, in Figure B, the top wave has a shorter wavelength than the second wave, which means it has a higher frequency. When a wave has a shorter wavelength, more waves of that kind pass by in a given time period, resulting in a higher frequency.

Conversely, when the wavelength increases, fewer waves pass by in a given time period, leading to a lower frequency. This inverse relationship between wavelength and frequency is consistent throughout the electromagnetic spectrum.

When the wavelength of a wave decreases, the frequency of the wave increases. Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional, meaning that a shorter wavelength corresponds to a higher frequency. This is because the number of waves passing a point per unit time increases when the waves are closer together (shorter wavelength), which results in a higher frequency.