What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency in electromagnetic radiation?

The relationship between wavelength and frequency in electromagnetic radiation is described by the equation ( c = \lambda \nu ), where ( c ) is the speed of light, ( \lambda ) is the wavelength, and ( \nu ) is the frequency. According to this equation, as the wavelength increases, the frequency must decrease to maintain the constant speed of light. This means that longer wavelengths correspond to lower frequencies, indicating an inverse relationship between the two.

In terms of wave behavior, when you stretch the wave (increase the wavelength), the number of crests that pass a certain point in a given time (frequency) decreases because the waves are spaced further apart. This principle applies across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, including light waves, radio waves, and others. Understanding this relationship is fundamental for interpreting various phenomena in chemistry and physics, such as the energy of photons, which is directly related to frequency; thus, longer wavelengths correspond to lower energy photons.