The Relationship
* Inversely Proportional: Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional. This means that as one increases, the other decreases.
The Formula
This relationship is captured in the following formula:
* v = fλ
Where:
* v = speed of the wave
* f = frequency of the wave
* λ = wavelength of the wave
Explanation
Imagine a wave moving like a ripple in a pond. The frequency represents how many ripples pass a certain point per second. If you increase the frequency, you are essentially squeezing more ripples into the same amount of time. To do this, the wavelength (the distance between two consecutive ripples) must decrease.
Example
Let's say you have a wave traveling at a constant speed of 10 meters per second. If you increase the frequency from 2 Hz to 4 Hz, the wavelength will need to decrease to maintain the same speed.
* Initial Calculation: λ = v/f = 10 m/s / 2 Hz = 5 meters
* Final Calculation: λ = v/f = 10 m/s / 4 Hz = 2.5 meters
In summary: When the speed of a wave is constant, increasing the frequency will result in a shorter wavelength.