What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

The relationship between wavelength and frequency is inversely proportional, meaning that as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is defined by the equation:

[ c = \lambda \times f ]

where ( c ) is the speed of light, ( \lambda ) is the wavelength, and ( f ) is the frequency. Since the speed of light is a constant (approximately ( 3 \times 10^8 ) meters per second in a vacuum), if the wavelength increases, the frequency must decrease to maintain the equality, resulting in a constant value for the speed of light.

For example, if you consider a wave moving through a medium, an increase in the distance between successive peaks (greater wavelength) means that fewer peaks will pass a given point in a second, which leads to a lower frequency. This fundamental concept is crucial in understanding various principles in physics, including the behavior of sound and light waves.