If the frequency of a transducer is increased, what happens to the wavelength?

• A. It increases
• B. It remains constant
• C. It decreases
• D. It becomes negative

Answer: (C)

When the frequency of a transducer is increased, the wavelength decreases. This relationship between frequency and wavelength is described by the wave equation, which states that the speed of a wave (v) is equal to the frequency (f) multiplied by the wavelength (λ):

[ v = f \cdot λ. ]

In many contexts, such as ultrasound or electromagnetic waves in a vacuum, the speed of the wave is constant. Therefore, if you increase the frequency, the mathematical relationship dictates that the wavelength must decrease in order to maintain the equality of the equation.

In other words, a higher frequency means that more cycles occur in a given time frame, and since those cycles need to fit into the same space (assuming the speed of transmission remains constant), each individual cycle must be shorter, resulting in a decreased wavelength.