As long as a wave remains in one medium, wavelength and frequency are ______.

As long as a wave remains in one medium, wavelength and frequency are ______.

• A. Directly Related
• B. Unrelated
• C. Identical
• D. Inversely Related

Answer: (D)

The wave’s speed in a single medium stays constant, and the relationship between speed, frequency, and wavelength is v = fλ. Because speed is fixed for that medium, frequency and wavelength must adjust inversely: if you increase the frequency, the wavelength shortens proportionally to keep v the same. Conversely, lowering the frequency lengthens the wavelength. For example, doubling the frequency halves the wavelength while the speed remains the same. The other options don’t fit this fundamental link: direct or identical would imply different behavior than what the constant speed allows, and unrelated ignores the mathematical connection between f and λ.

The wave’s speed in a single medium stays constant, and the relationship between speed, frequency, and wavelength is v = fλ. Because speed is fixed for that medium, frequency and wavelength must adjust inversely: if you increase the frequency, the wavelength shortens proportionally to keep v the same. Conversely, lowering the frequency lengthens the wavelength. For example, doubling the frequency halves the wavelength while the speed remains the same. The other options don’t fit this fundamental link: direct or identical would imply different behavior than what the constant speed allows, and unrelated ignores the mathematical connection between f and λ.