If the propagation speed is constant, increasing frequency causes the wavelength to:

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Multiple Choice

If the propagation speed is constant, increasing frequency causes the wavelength to:

Explanation:
When a wave propagates with a fixed speed, its wavelength is set by the relation v = fλ. If the speed v stays the same and the frequency f increases, the product fλ must remain equal to v, so the wavelength λ must get shorter. In other words, λ = v/f, so increasing f decreases λ. For example, in free space v is about 3×10^8 m/s; doubling the frequency from 1 GHz to 2 GHz halves the wavelength from about 0.3 m to 0.15 m. The idea of the wavelength becoming imaginary isn’t physical here, since with real speed and frequency, λ = v/f yields a real, positive value. Therefore, the wavelength decreases.

When a wave propagates with a fixed speed, its wavelength is set by the relation v = fλ. If the speed v stays the same and the frequency f increases, the product fλ must remain equal to v, so the wavelength λ must get shorter. In other words, λ = v/f, so increasing f decreases λ.

For example, in free space v is about 3×10^8 m/s; doubling the frequency from 1 GHz to 2 GHz halves the wavelength from about 0.3 m to 0.15 m. The idea of the wavelength becoming imaginary isn’t physical here, since with real speed and frequency, λ = v/f yields a real, positive value.

Therefore, the wavelength decreases.

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