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How are wavelength and frequency related for electromagnetic radiation?

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For electromagnetic radiation, wavelength and frequency are inversely related. They are connected by the speed of light (c), which is the constant velocity at which these waves propagate through space—approximately 300,000,000 meters per second.12

The relationship is expressed by the following equation:

$f = \frac{c}{λ}$

In this formula:
* $f$ represents the frequency (often symbolized by the Greek letter $ν$ in spectroscopy), which is the number of wave cycles completed per second, measured in hertz.31
* $c$ is the speed of light.31
* $λ$ (lambda) is the wavelength, defined as the distance between consecutive wave crests.31

Because the speed of light is constant, a shorter wavelength results in a higher frequency, while a longer wavelength corresponds to a lower frequency.1