why do electromagnetic waves with short wavelenghts have higher frequencies than electromagnetic waves......?

Question

.....with long wavelengths?

Answer 1

Electro-magnetic energy E = hf; where h is a constant and f is frequency. OK, distance traveled L = ct; where c is speed of light and t is time.

If L = one wavelength, then t = L/c is the period or time a wave of EM (e.g., light or radio) travels its own length. If that wavelength is measured as one cycle, then 1/t = c/L = f frequency of light.

Combine all this and we have E = hf = hc/L from which we get fL = c. And there you have it...since c is the constant speed of light, if we make L shorter, the frequency has to increase to keep c at the constant value. And, of course, if we make the frequency slower, the wavelength has to get bigger.

Answer 2

Remember the electronic spectrum goes like this: X-Rays Ultra-violet Infra-red Microwaves Radio Waves This is in order of frequency and wavelength, being X-Rays as the longest wavelength and highest frequency. Therefore, radio waves has the shortest wavelength. X-Rays have the highest frequency. Radio waves have the lowest energy. Though I am not sure about the last two. Try googling them or email your teacher.

Answer 3

Short wavelenghts have higher energies than longer ones. Since they have higher energies they have shorter peaks and valleys between frequencies.

Answer 4

Speed of light 300million meters per second, divided by wavelength in meters, equals frequency in HZ.

Answer 5

I guess a shorter wave length has a higher frequency because
it takes less time for the wave to complete its cycle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wavelength