Frequency of Electromagnetic Waves

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This diagram looks at the frequency of electromagnetic waves.

  • It shows that the frequency of electromagnetic radiation (light) refers to the number of wave-cycles of an electromagnetic wave that pass a given point in a given amount of time.
  • The frequency of an electromagnetic wave can be thought about in the same way as the frequency of trains that pass through a railway station. If a train passes through a station every 10 minutes then the frequency is six trains per hour.

Remember that:

  • The frequency of a wave should not be confused with the speed at which the wave travels or the distance it travels.
  • The term frequency refers to the measurement of the frequency of wave oscillations that pass a given point in a given amount of time.
  • The unit of measurement of frequency is the hertz. One hertz equals one wave-cycle per second.
  • Because the frequency of some electromagnetic waves is so small, Hertz is sub-divided into kilohertz, megahertz, gigahertz and terahertz.
  • The wavelength and frequency of light are closely related. In any given medium, the higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength.
  • The amount of energy transported by a light wave increases with the frequency of oscillations (wave-cycle) and as the length of each oscillation decreases.
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Description

Frequency of Electromagnetic Waves

TRY SOME QUICK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TO GET STARTED
How is frequency affacted as light travel from air into glass?
The frequency of incident light is unchanged as it travels from air into glass so its colour remains the same.
Which colour of visible light has the higher frequency, red or violet?
Violet has the highest frequency of visible light.
What unit of measurement is used to measure the frequency of electromagnetic waves?
The hertz is used to measure the frequency of electromagnetic waves. Different prefixes denoting subdivisions are used to aid measurement eg. kilohertz (1,000 cycles/sec), megahertz ( 1,000,000 cycles/sec), gigahertz (1,000,000,000 cycles/sec) and terahertz (1,000,000,000,000 cycles/sec).
As frequency increases does wavelength decrease in length?
Yes! As the frequency of oscillations of an electromagnetic wave increase the wavelength decreases.

About the diagram

About the diagram
  • This diagram looks at the frequency of electromagnetic waves.
  • It shows that the frequency of electromagnetic radiation (light) refers to the number of wave-cycles of an electromagnetic wave that pass a given point in a given amount of time.
  • The frequency of an electromagnetic wave can be thought about in the same way as the frequency of trains that pass through a railway station. If a train passes through a station every 10 minutes then the frequency is six trains per hour.
Remember that:
  • The frequency of a wave should not be confused with the speed at which the wave travels or the distance it travels.
  • The term frequency refers to the measurement of the frequency of wave oscillations that pass a given point in a given amount of time.
  • The unit of measurement of frequency is the hertz. One hertz equals one wave-cycle per second.
  • Because the frequency of some electromagnetic waves is so small, Hertz is sub-divided into kilohertz, megahertz, gigahertz and terahertz.
  • The wavelength and frequency of light are closely related. In any given medium, the higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength.
  • The amount of energy transported by a light wave increases with the frequency of oscillations (wave-cycle) and as the length of each oscillation decreases.
Understanding the diagram:
  • The diagram shows that the frequency of waves is counted in wave-cycles. One wave-cycle is shown as a dotted yellow line that follows the wave.
  • The dotted yellow line below the wave measures three complete cycles. The measurement is from the peak of the first wave to the peak of the third.
  • The point at which measurement of passing wave-cycles is taken is shown as a vertical line with a clock face below it.
  • The measurement involves calculating how long it takes for the three wave-cycles to pass the clock.
  • The diagram shows that the time it takes in this example is one second.
  • The frequency, in this case, is 3 wave-cycles per second which equal 3 Hertz (Hz).

Some key terms

Electromagnetic wave

An electromagnetic wave carries electromagnetic radiation. An electromagnetic wave is formed as electromagnetic radiation propagates from a light source, travels ...

Frequency

The frequency of electromagnetic radiation (light) refers to the number of wave-cycles of an electromagnetic wave that pass a given ...

Hertz (Hz)

The hertz (symbol: Hz) is a unit used to measure the frequency of electromagnetic waves. Hertz are used when measuring ...

Electromagnetic radiation

Electromagnetic radiation is a type of energy more commonly simply called light. Detached from its source, it is transported by ...

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