How are wavelength and frequency of electromagnetic radiation related?

• A. They are inversely proportional; as wavelength increases, frequency decreases.
• B. They are directly proportional; as wavelength increases, frequency increases.
• C. They are both constant for all types of electromagnetic radiation.
• D. They are unrelated; wavelength and frequency do not affect each other.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that electromagnetic radiation can be described by its wavelength (\( \lambda \)) and frequency (\( \nu \)).
2. Recall the fundamental relationship between the speed of light (\( c \)), wavelength, and frequency: \( c = \lambda \times \nu \).
3. Since the speed of light \( c \) is a constant (approximately \( 3.00 \times 10^{8} \) m/s in vacuum), any change in wavelength must be compensated by a change in frequency to keep \( c \) constant.
4. Rearrange the equation to express frequency in terms of wavelength: \( \nu = \frac{c}{\lambda} \). This shows that frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength.
5. Conclude that as wavelength increases, frequency decreases, and vice versa, because their product is always equal to the constant speed of light.