The relationship between frequency and wavelength is a fundamental concept in physics, particularly in the study of waves. Frequency refers to the number of cycles a wave completes in one second, measured in hertz (Hz). Wavelength, on the other hand, is the distance between consecutive peaks (or troughs) of a wave.
These two properties are inversely related and can be described by the equation:
Velocity = Frequency × Wavelength
In this equation, ‘velocity’ represents the speed of the wave. When the speed of a wave is constant, an increase in frequency leads to a decrease in wavelength, and vice versa. This means that as you increase the number of wave cycles per second (higher frequency), the distance between each wave peak (wavelength) shortens.
For example, if a wave has a high frequency, it completes more cycles in a given time, resulting in shorter wavelengths. In contrast, a wave with a low frequency will have longer wavelengths because it completes fewer cycles in the same time period. This interplay is crucial in understanding various phenomena, including sound and light waves.