Which of the following best describes the relationship between the wavelength and frequency of light?

• A. They are both constant for all types of light.
• B. They are inversely proportional; as wavelength increases, frequency decreases.
• C. They are directly proportional; as wavelength increases, frequency also increases.
• D. They are unrelated; changing wavelength does not affect frequency.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the fundamental relationship between the speed of light (\(c\)), wavelength (\(\lambda\)), and frequency (\(\nu\)), which is given by the equation: \(c = \lambda \times \nu\).
2. Understand that the speed of light (\(c\)) in a vacuum is a constant value, approximately \$3.00 \times 10^{8}$ meters per second.
3. Since \(c\) is constant, if the wavelength (\(\lambda\)) increases, the frequency (\(\nu\)) must decrease to keep the product \(\lambda \times \nu\) equal to \(c\).
4. This means wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional to each other; mathematically, \(\nu = \frac{c}{\lambda}\).
5. Therefore, the correct description is that as wavelength increases, frequency decreases, and vice versa.