Question

For waves moving through the atmosphere at a constant velocity, higher frequency waves must have proportionally longer wavelengths.
a) true
b) false

Answer 1

Answer:

false.

Explanation:

We know that for a wave that moves with velocity V, with a wavelength λ, and a frequency f, we have the relation:

V = λ*f

So, if the velocity is constant and we increase the frequency to:

f' > f

we will have a new wavelength λ'

Such that:

V = f'*λ'

And V = f*λ

Then we have:

f'*λ' = f*λ

Solvinf for λ', we get:

λ' =(f/f')*λ

And because:

f' > f

then:

(f/f') < 1

Then:

λ' =(f/f')*λ < λ

So, if we increase the frequency, we need to decrease the wavelength.

So, for higher frequency waves, we must have proportionally shorter wavelengths.

Then we can conclude that the given statement:

"or waves moving through the atmosphere at a constant velocity, higher frequency waves must have proportionally longer wavelengths"

is false.