Explaining answer for 1.3

$c=\lambda v$

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KylieY_3B
Posts: 31
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:24 am

Explaining answer for 1.3

Hi, I'm curious about the reasoning for the answer to question 1.3 (6th edition).

The question is "Which of the following happens when the frequency of electromagnetic radiation decreases? Explain your reasoning."

I understand why most of the scenarios don't happen, except c) "The extent of the change in the electrical field at a given point decreases" is listed as happening. Can someone explain why?

Hannah Faris 1C
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:18 am

Re: Explaining answer for 1.3

To my knowledge, the change of the electric fields corresponds to the frequency directly, so it makes sense that they would go down together (because the wave itself is the electrical field, since it oscillates less frequently there is less overall change). I'm not entirely sure though!

Shivangi_2J
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:15 am

Re: Explaining answer for 1.3

when the frequency of the wave decreases, the wavelength is longer so waves broaden (spread out) and the extent of the change (aka the slope of the wave) decreases

AustinGrove3B
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:23 am

Re: Explaining answer for 1.3

The question is confusing because the "extent of the change" is a really weird way of saying the slope of the graph. It wants you to see what would happen to the slope of the wave when freq decreases (wavelength increases) and therefore slope decreases (less steep). Its just a poorly worded question.

Miriam Sheetz 2B
Posts: 64
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:25 am

Re: Explaining answer for 1.3

So when the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases so the slope is flatter. When the wavelength decreases, the frequency increases so the slope is steeper. So in this example, when the frequency decreases, the slope becomes flatter and the extent of change is lesser.

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