All parts of the electromagnetic spectrum travel at a speed of 3 times 10 to the 8th power m/s when traveling through no medium. A "vacuum” means that there is no medium, such as a tube without any air in it. Therefore, 3 times 10 to the 8th power m/s is said to be the speed of light in a vacuum. If an electromagnetic wave’s frequency doubles in a vacuum, what are the other effects on the wave?
Answer
A
Wavelength doubles and speed stays the same.
B
Wavelength divides in half and speed stays the same.
C
Wavelength doubles and speed doubles.
D
Wavelength divides in half and speed doubles.
Explanation
In a vacuum, electromagnetic waves travel at the constant speed of 3 × 10⁸ m/s. The relationship between speed, frequency, and wavelength is speed = frequency × wavelength. If the frequency doubles while the speed remains constant, the wavelength must divide in half. Therefore, the wave’s wavelength divides in half and its speed stays the same.
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