# Which has a higher frequency?

1. Jul 13, 2005

### Allen J

Hi, I am trying to solve a couple of questiosn where I need to say whether gamma rays have a higher frequency than visible light or not. The answer is obviously yes(they mentioned it several times in the text), but they want me to explain my answer based on the relationship between energy and frequency. Maybe they're referring to E=hf, but I'm not really sure how I could show anything with that anyway.

The second question wants to know which has the longer wavelength. Of course, the frequency and the wavelength are proportional. I could simply say this, based on the first question. But is there a way to answer it "properly", rather than say, "If the frequency is low, the wavelength is long; if the frequency is high, the wavelength is short" ?

2. Jul 13, 2005

### mathman

For the first question, I presume they mean gamma rays have more energy than light, therefore have higher frequency.

For the second, wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency.

3. Jul 13, 2005

### Galileo

Indeed, you can use E=hf. You'll have to know that gamma rays are much more energetic than visible light rays.

You know wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional. In fact, I`m sure you can state their precise relationship and deduce the answer from that. It doesn't get more proper than that.

4. Jul 13, 2005