Chapter 25, Problem 38A

Red light has a longer wavelength than violet light. Which has the greater frequency?

To determine

To find: which of the given colored light has greater frequency.

Answer to Problem 38A

Violet light has greater frequency compared to red light.

Explanation of Solution

Given data:

Red light has a longer wavelength than violet light

The wavelength of any wave is a function of its frequency f and velocity v, which can be expressed mathematically as

  $\lambda =\frac{v}{f}$

From this, it can be understood that, wavelength and frequency maintain an inverse relationship. So as the wavelength of a particular light increases, its frequency decreases.

Here, the Red light has a longer wavelength compared to violet light. Therefore it can be observed that, the violet light has the greater frequency compared to the Red light.