What is the formula that relates the speed of light, wavelength, and frequency?

• A. c = λν
• B. c = λ/f
• C. c = ν/f
• D. c = λt

Answer: (A)

The formula that relates the speed of light (c), wavelength (λ), and frequency (ν) is c = λν. In this formula, the speed of light is equal to the product of the wavelength and the frequency. This relationship is fundamental in understanding how light propagates through different media.

When light travels, it oscillates at a certain frequency and has a specific wavelength, which is the distance between successive peaks of the wave. The speed of light is constant in a vacuum, allowing us to use this equation to calculate either the wavelength or frequency if the other quantity and the speed of light are known.

This formula is essential in various applications, including telecommunications, optics, and understanding the electromagnetic spectrum. It quantitatively describes how changing one parameter (either wavelength or frequency) affects the other, given that the speed of light remains unchanged in a vacuum.