When we talk about light waves, it might seem tricky at first to understand how frequency, wavelength, and energy are related. But once you break it down, it's really interesting! Here’s what I’ve found out.

Frequency and Wavelength

• Frequency (f) is how many wave cycles go by in one second. We measure it in Hertz (Hz).

• Wavelength (λ) is the distance between two wave peaks. We usually measure it in meters.

Here’s something cool: when frequency goes up, wavelength goes down. You can think of it this way:

Speed of Light Formula:
c = f × λ

In this formula:

• c stands for the speed of light in a vacuum, which is about 3 x 10^8 meters per second.

Energy of Light Waves

Now let's talk about energy. The energy (E) of a photon (which is the simplest part of light) is linked directly to its frequency. You can use this formula to understand it:

Energy Formula:
E = h × f

In this case:

• h is Planck’s constant, which is roughly 6.626 x 10^-34 Joules per second.

Putting It All Together

So, here’s the big picture:

• If the frequency is higher, the wavelength is shorter, and the energy is also higher.
• If the frequency is lower, the wavelength is longer, and the energy is lower.

Knowing this is really helpful when we look at the electromagnetic spectrum. This includes everything from radio waves to gamma rays. Each type of wave has its own frequency and wavelength, which affects how we see light and experience other forms of electromagnetic energy every day!