Is wavelength adjustable?

Is wavelength adjustable?

• A. No
• B. Yes
• C. Sometimes
• D. Depends On Medium

Answer: (A)

Wavelength is determined by the relation lambda = v / f, where v is the speed of the wave in the medium and f is its frequency. Because both the medium (which sets v) and the source (which sets f) can be changed, the wavelength can be adjusted. If you keep the medium fixed and change the source frequency, the wavelength changes in proportion to the frequency. If you keep the source frequency fixed and change the medium, the speed changes, so the wavelength changes too (the frequency stays the same when light passes from one medium to another, but the speed and thus the wavelength shift). In practice, this is why you can tune a laser to different wavelengths or why bending into a material with a different refractive index alters the wavelength of light of the same color. So wavelength is not inherently fixed; its value can be altered by changing either the wave’s frequency or the medium through which it travels. The key idea is that lambda depends on both speed and frequency, and either can be adjusted to produce a different wavelength.

Wavelength is determined by the relation lambda = v / f, where v is the speed of the wave in the medium and f is its frequency. Because both the medium (which sets v) and the source (which sets f) can be changed, the wavelength can be adjusted.

If you keep the medium fixed and change the source frequency, the wavelength changes in proportion to the frequency. If you keep the source frequency fixed and change the medium, the speed changes, so the wavelength changes too (the frequency stays the same when light passes from one medium to another, but the speed and thus the wavelength shift). In practice, this is why you can tune a laser to different wavelengths or why bending into a material with a different refractive index alters the wavelength of light of the same color.

So wavelength is not inherently fixed; its value can be altered by changing either the wave’s frequency or the medium through which it travels. The key idea is that lambda depends on both speed and frequency, and either can be adjusted to produce a different wavelength.