## Clarification on C=λv

$c=\lambda v$

Kai_Chiu 1F
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:03 am

### Clarification on C=λv

Why does wavelength have to decrease if frequency decreases?

altaing
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:07 am

### Re: Clarification on C=λv

When you multiply wavelength by frequency, you should end up with c (speed of light). If both increase the desired value (3.00 x 10^8 m/s) will be overshot/missed. Therefore, as you increase one, the other must me decreased because the speed of light is a constant.

Kai_Chiu 1F
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:03 am

### Re: Clarification on C=λv

Thank you for clarifying!

altaing
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:07 am

### Re: Clarification on C=λv

You're welcome!

tiffanyteguh1C
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:04 am

### Re: Clarification on C=λv

Is 3.00 x 10^8 m/s a constant that is used for all C=λv equations?

Emma Miltenberger 2I
Posts: 51
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: Clarification on C=λv

Yes, c is a constant. C is the speed of light and does not change. Therefore, in all C=λv problems, you should set c equal to 3.00*10^8 m/s. The wavelength and frequency are what will change in this equation.

Leanne Wong 1H
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2017 7:13 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: Clarification on C=λv

Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional to each other which means if frequency increases then wavelength decreases or vice versa.

Meredith Steinberg 2E
Posts: 50
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: Clarification on C=λv

Since speed of light is constant (3.00 x 10^8 m/s) and therefore cannot change, if wavelength increases, frequency must decrease to keep their product equal to speed of light.

Yizhou Liu 3L
Posts: 19
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:07 am

### Re: Clarification on C=λv

When frequency decreases, wavelength will increase because the speed of light is constant.

Irma Ramos 2I
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:07 am

### Re: Clarification on C=λv

Is it safe to say that electromagnetic radiation and wavelength are inversely proportional, while frequency and electromagnetic radiation are directly related, based on the responses above?

Cam Bear 2F
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:01 am

### Re: Clarification on C=λv

Energy of a photon=hv
c=λν or v=c/λ
Therefore, E=h(c/λ)
So, you could say energy of a photon and wavelength are inversely proportional while energy and frequency are directly proportional.