What happens to frequency as the wavelength decreases?

When the wavelength of a wave decreases, its frequency increases. This relationship is a fundamental principle of wave mechanics, described by the equation that connects wavelength (λ), frequency (f), and the speed of light (c):

[ c = f \cdot λ ]

In this equation, the speed of light is a constant value. If the wavelength decreases while the speed of light remains constant, the frequency must increase to maintain the equality of the equation. This means that as the distance between successive peaks of the wave becomes smaller, the number of peaks that pass a given point per unit time (which we refer to as frequency) must become larger.

Therefore, when the question asks what happens to frequency as the wavelength decreases, the correct answer is that frequency increases. This is crucial in various applications, including RADAR technology, as understanding these relationships is fundamental for interpreting radar signals and their interactions with objects.