A wavelength is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs in a wave. It is typically measured in units of length, such as meters (m) or nanometers (nm). In the electromagnetic spectrum, shorter wavelengths correspond to higher frequencies and longer wavelengths correspond to lower frequencies.
Frequency is the number of wave cycles that pass through a given point in one second. It is typically measured in units of hertz (Hz) or cycles per second. In the electromagnetic spectrum, the frequency of a wave is inversely proportional to its wavelength. This means that as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa.
The speed of light, also known as the universal constant c, is the speed at which electromagnetic radiation travels in a vacuum. It is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second. The speed of light is important because it is the maximum speed at which all forms of energy, including light, can travel in the universe. It also plays a crucial role in many scientific equations and theories, such as Einstein's theory of relativity.
Wavelength, frequency, and the speed of light are all related through the equation c = λν, where c is the speed of light, λ is the wavelength, and ν is the frequency. This means that as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and the speed of light remains constant. Additionally, the wavelength and frequency of electromagnetic radiation are inversely proportional, meaning that as one increases, the other decreases.
The basic units for measuring wavelength, frequency, and the speed of light are meters (m), hertz (Hz), and meters per second (m/s), respectively. These are all units of the International System of Units (SI) and are commonly used in scientific research and measurements.