Physics Question on Wavelength and Frequency

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On the EK book, it says, "when light enters a new medium, the frequency remains the same and the wavelength chances". How is this possible though? If the wavelength changes, shouldn't the frequency change too? Are they not complements where if one change, the other must too? Can someone please clarify? Thanks in advance.

 

[corbis11]

light slows down going from air to another medium (ex. glass). So velocity and wavelenght change while frequency remains constant.

 

[mms2k7]

entering a new medium is essentially refraction..

so n = c/v (C= speed of light, v velocity of entering l).

Think of it this way.. if a monochromatic beam of light (one color.. pick your favorite.. ill say blue) entered a refractive index.. say a prism, the light will bend to the normal, so you will see a beam of red light going to the prism, and a bent beam coming out.

frequency is f= speed/wavelength if you change both proportionally, you can still keep the frequency constant.

So say the red beam of light enters a new medium, it will under go a speed change / wave length change, the result is a constant frequency (thats why it still comes out red)

 

[AWhitehair]

On the EK book, it says, "when light enters a new medium, the frequency remains the same and the wavelength chances". How is this possible though? If the wavelength changes, shouldn't the frequency change too? Are they not complements where if one change, the other must too? Can someone please clarify? Thanks in advance.

Just to add on...I've seen this question several times...KNOW IT! 🙂

 

[heymanooh1]

On the EK book, it says, "when light enters a new medium, the frequency remains the same and the wavelength chances". How is this possible though? If the wavelength changes, shouldn't the frequency change too? Are they not complements where if one change, the other must too? Can someone please clarify? Thanks in advance.

the frequency stays constant and not the wavelength because the # of wavefronts entering the surface boundary of the medium must equal the # of wavefronts exiting the medium per unit time. the boundary condition states that the boundary can neither create nor destroy waves and/or wavefronts.

 

[quiksilver87]

The wavelength's change is compensated for by a change in the speed of light...and not by a change of its frequency...

 

[edwincyp]

need help on this question..
the most fundamental equation of the wave theory of light relates to the 3 basic paramenters of wave motion: wavelength,frequency of oscillation and speed of propagation,the group equation which is or are correct?
A.speed = wavelength x frequency
B.wavelength = speed/ frequency
C.frequency = speed /wavelength
D.wavelength = speedx frequency

 

[MiraLK]

As BerkReviewTeach replied you in another thread, speed = wavelength x frequency is the fundamental equation, and equation B and C are just the same as equation A. D is wrong, and you can tell by looking at the unit.

Wavelength: m
Speed: m/s
Frequency: 1/s
There's no way to get "m" by multiplying m/s with 1/s.

=)