Relationship between

Frequency
and
Wavelength
 • Electromagnetic spectrum represents the family of EM waves. The EM
waves in the spectrum is arranged according to increasing frequency
and decreasing wavelength. As we can see, low frequency waves have
longer wavelength while high frequency waves have shorter
wavelength. This arrangement indicates that there is an inverse
relationship between frequency and wavelength. This relationship is
also shown in the wave equation expressed as:
c= f λ
• Where: c= speed of EM waves in meters per second, m/s
f= frequency of EM waves in hertz, Hz or s-1
λ= (read as lambda) wavelength of EM waves in meters, m
 
• EM waves carry energy called radiation. This is the reason why EM
waves are also called electromagnetic radiation. This electromagnetic
radiation can propagate in a vacuum or space where there is no air
resistance. Generally, the higher the frequency of a wave the more
energy it carries and the more hazardous it becomes. This relationship
between frequency and energy has been established in Planck’s
equation (Max Planck), expressed as:
E= hf
• Where : E = energy in joules, J or electronvolt Ev
(1 Ev= 1.6 X 10-19 J )
h = Planck’s proportionality constant between energy and
frequency of the EM waves,
6.63 x 10 -34 J.s
λ=c
f

= 300, 000, 000 m/s

0.000012 Hz
= 25,000,000,000,000 or 2.5 x 10 13
m
Directions: Show your solution in solving the problem
below. (5 points)

1. Microwaves are used to cook food. If a

microwave oven radiates microwaves with
a wavelength of 3.4 m, what is its
frequency?
What is asked: _________________
Given: ___________________________
Microwaves are used to cook food. If a microwave oven radiates microwaves
with a wavelength of 3.4 m, what is its frequency?
Asked: frequency
Given: λ= 3.4 m
c = 300, 000, 000 m/s
Solution: c = f λ
f=c
λ
f = 300, 000, 000 m/s
3.4 m
f = 88,235,294.1176 or 8.8 x 10 7
Hz or 8.8 x 10 7 s-1
2. Problem: A photon has a frequency (𝛎) of 2.68 x 106 Hz. Calculate its
energy.
E= hf
• Where : E = energy in joules, J or electronvolt Ev
(1 Ev= 1.6 X 10-19 J )
h = Planck’s proportionality constant between energy and
frequency of the EM waves,
6.63 x 10 -34 J.s
f = frequency of EM waves in hertz, Hz or s-1
Ans: 1.777 x 10-27 J
3. Problem: Calculate the frequency of light that has a wavelength of 4.25 x
10-9m.
• Calculate the frequency of light that has a wavelength of 4.25 x 10-9m.

• Ans: 𝛎 = 7.059 x 1016 Hz.

4. Problem: Calculate the frequency of light that has a wavelength
of 4.25 x 10-9m. Identify the type of electromagnetic radiation.
4. Problem: Calculate the frequency of light that has a
wavelength of 4.25 x 10-9m. Identify the type of
electromagnetic radiation.

Ans:  = 7.1 x 1016 Hz

5. The wavelength of green light from a traffic signal is
centered at 5.20 x 10-5 cm. Calculate the frequency.
5. The wavelength of green light from a traffic signal is
centered at 5.20 x 10-5 cm. Calculate the frequency.
Ans:  = 5.77 x 1014 Hz.
recap
Activity 1. Directions: Write True if the statement is correct and False if the statement is incorrect.
1. Communicating with satellites is an application of radio waves.
2. Microwaves are a type of infrared waves.
3. Visible light and ultraviolet light are low frequency electromagnetic waves.
4. Radio waves have the lowest frequencies but the longest wavelength, thus, they can travel
long distances.
5. Visible light is a form of electromagnetic waves that enable us to see the physical world
around us.
6. Absorption of small doses of UV rays of the human body is important because it plays
important role in the production of vitamin D.
7. UVC is the most harmful to one’s eye and skin because they carry energy of great strength.
8. X-rays are emitted by machines used for medical diagnosis and industrial machines that are
used to measure tiny objects.
9. Gamma rays are also used in medicine to eliminate cancer cells.
10.Lower doses of UVB stimulate melanin.
Activity 1. Directions: Write True if the statement is correct and False if the statement is incorrect.
1. Communicating with satellites is an application of radio waves. T
2. Microwaves are a type of infrared waves. F
3. Visible light and ultraviolet light are low frequency electromagnetic waves. F
4. Radio waves have the lowest frequencies but the longest wavelength, thus, they can travel
long distances. T
5. Visible light is a form of electromagnetic waves that enable us to see the physical world
around us. T
6. Absorption of small doses of UV rays of the human body is important because it plays
important role in the production of vitamin D. T
7. UVC is the most harmful to one’s eye and skin because they carry energy of great strength. T
8. X-rays are emitted by machines used for medical diagnosis and industrial machines that are
used to measure tiny objects. T
9. Gamma rays are also used in medicine to eliminate cancer cells. T
10.Lower doses of UVB stimulate melanin. T
exercise
 c

λ f
If it the EM waves travels through a
medium, the speed of the wave is
less than 3.0 x 10 m/s
8
ionizing and non-ionizing
radiation
The Electromagnetic Radiation spectrum is widely used in
different areas of science and technology. EMR can be broadly
divided into two categories: ionization and non-ionization.
Ionizing radiation has high energy as compare to non-ionizing
radiations. The ionizing radiations have a frequency ranging from
1 PHz (petahertz) to 10 ZHz (zettahertz), which includes X-rays
and Gamma rays. The non-ionizing radiations have a frequency
ranging from 1 to 1000’s of THz (terahertz). It consists of
Microwave (MW), Infrared (IR), Visible Light (VL) and Ultra-
Violet light (UV) extremely low-frequency radiation (ELF).
Ionization radiation has the capacity to cause changes in the
structure of atoms or molecules by ionization, so that’s why
ionizing radiation can cause damage to living atoms/molecules
and also have the tendency to cause changes in the structure of
DNA in the living organism.
Ionizing Radiation
•Is a form of energy that acts by removing electrons
from atoms and molecules of materials that include
air, water, and living tissues
•can cause cancers, skin or tissue damage). Ionizing
radiation can travel unseen and pass through these
materials. Radiation energy can be absorbed by
tissues.
•X-rays, CT or CAT (computed Tomography) Scans
The telecommunication devices (Mobile Phone, Wi-Fi,
Computer, Television, etc.) have proved to be revolutionary
effects in terms of communication with anywhere and
anytime in the whole world, but it is mostly accompanied
with the EMR hazards. The human body has the ability to
absorb these radiations might be harmful and can cause even
different disease like cancers, mental disorders, neurologic
illnesses, fetal abnormalities, cardiovascular diseases etc.15.
EMR has very beneficial uses of our daily life to make it more
comfortable and easier. Nowadays, we can talk to anyone on a
mobile phone through the Internet: it is because of EMR, since
these waves can transmit signals for very long distances. So
EMR has the key roles in making our lives more comfortable.