What happens to frequency and energy as wavelength decreases?

What happens to frequency and energy as wavelength decreases?

• A. As wavelength decreases, frequency and energy increase.
• B. As wavelength increases, frequency and energy increase.
• C. As wavelength decreases, frequency decreases.
• D. As wavelength increases, energy stays constant.

Answer: (A)

Frequency and energy are linked to wavelength through the speed of light and Planck’s constant. In vacuum, the frequency f and wavelength λ satisfy f = c/λ, so shortening the wavelength raises the frequency. The energy of a photon is E = h f, so higher frequency means higher energy. Equivalently, E = h c / λ shows energy is inversely proportional to wavelength. Therefore, as wavelength decreases, both frequency and energy increase.

Frequency and energy are linked to wavelength through the speed of light and Planck’s constant. In vacuum, the frequency f and wavelength λ satisfy f = c/λ, so shortening the wavelength raises the frequency. The energy of a photon is E = h f, so higher frequency means higher energy. Equivalently, E = h c / λ shows energy is inversely proportional to wavelength. Therefore, as wavelength decreases, both frequency and energy increase.