Which has the higher frequency, red light or violet light? Which has the longer wavelength? Which has the greater energy?

Key Concepts

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of electromagnetic radiation, arranged by wavelength and frequency. It ranges from radio waves with long wavelengths and low frequencies to gamma rays with short wavelengths and high frequencies. Visible light, which includes red and violet light, is a small portion of this spectrum, with violet light having a shorter wavelength and higher frequency than red light.

Wavelength and Frequency Relationship

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related properties of electromagnetic waves. As the wavelength decreases, the frequency increases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation c = λν, where c is the speed of light, λ is the wavelength, and ν is the frequency. Thus, violet light, with a shorter wavelength, has a higher frequency compared to red light.

Energy of Photons

The energy of a photon is directly proportional to its frequency and inversely proportional to its wavelength, as described by the equation E = hν, where E is energy, h is Planck's constant, and ν is frequency. Therefore, since violet light has a higher frequency than red light, it also possesses greater energy. This principle explains why violet light can have more energetic interactions than red light.