If the frequency of a radio wave is doubled, what happens to its wavelength according to the standard relationship?

If the frequency of a radio wave is doubled, what happens to its wavelength according to the standard relationship?

• A. It doubles
• B. It halves
• C. It remains the same
• D. It increases by the square root of two

Answer: (B)

For electromagnetic waves, the wavelength and frequency are inversely related when the wave speed is fixed: λ = v / f. In vacuum, v is c, so λ = c / f. If the frequency is doubled, the wavelength becomes half because λ_new = c / (2f) = (1/2)(c / f) = λ_old / 2. The product fλ stays constant in a given medium, so increasing frequency shortens the wavelength.

For electromagnetic waves, the wavelength and frequency are inversely related when the wave speed is fixed: λ = v / f. In vacuum, v is c, so λ = c / f. If the frequency is doubled, the wavelength becomes half because λ_new = c / (2f) = (1/2)(c / f) = λ_old / 2. The product fλ stays constant in a given medium, so increasing frequency shortens the wavelength.