When we do experiments in the lab to look at how waves behave, frequency is super important. It helps us understand what we see. Let's break it down:

1. What Waves Are Like:

   • Frequency tells us how many wave cycles pass a point in one second.
   • If the frequency is higher, that means more waves pass by in the same time, and the waves get shorter.
   • For example, if you’re looking at a wave on a string, changing the frequency changes how tight the waves are—higher frequency makes them more compact.

2. Energy Levels:

   • In most cases, a wave with a higher frequency carries more energy than a wave with a lower frequency.
   • This is especially important when studying light or sound waves.
   • For instance, UV light (which has a high frequency) can have bigger effects than infrared light (which has a low frequency).

3. Resonance:

   • Many experiments look at special frequencies called resonant frequencies.
   • At these frequencies, systems like vibrating strings or columns of air move more strongly.
   • Finding these frequencies helps us understand how energy moves and interacts in different materials.

4. Looking at Data:

   • In the lab, we often make graphs to show how frequency changes with other wave properties like wavelength and speed.
   • We can use the formula $v = f \lambda$, where $v$ means wave speed, $f$ means frequency, and $\lambda$ means wavelength.
   • This connection helps us really understand how waves behave.

To sum it up, you can think of frequency as the heartbeat of wave behavior in experiments. It shapes what we see and learn every step of the way!