Final answer:
The relationship between frequency and energy is that higher frequencies correspond to more energetic photons. Wavelength is inversely proportional to both frequency and energy, so a wave with a higher frequency carries more energy due to its shorter wavelength. The speed of light is constant, so these relationships are utilized across the electromagnetic spectrum.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between frequency and energy in waves can be described using photons, where higher frequency corresponds to more energetic photons. Like frequency, energy is inversely proportional to wavelength. Therefore, a wave with a higher frequency has a shorter wavelength and carries more energy. This relationship is grounded in the characteristics of electromagnetic radiation, where all electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light (c).
Definition of Wavelength and Frequency
Wavelength is the distance between consecutive peaks of a wave. Frequency represents how often the peaks pass a particular point each second, measured in hertz (Hz). As the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, which implies that the energy also decreases.
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum displays a range of electromagnetic radiation types, each with its distinct range of frequencies and wavelengths. For instance, radio waves are usually defined by their frequencies, whereas the visible light portion of the spectrum is often defined by wavelength measures.
Energy, Frequency, and Wavelength Relation
Expressed as an equation: speed of a wave = wavelength × frequency. This implies that if the wave speed is constant (as with light), an increase in frequency leads to a decrease in wavelength. However, since energy is directly proportional to frequency and inversely proportional to wavelength, we can conclude that a higher frequency (and thus lower wavelength) means higher energy of the photons.