Question

1. all types of light travel at the same speed when moving through space. write a statement about the data collected in trials 1-2 to answer the lab’s essential question: what is the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and speed for waves in space?

Explanation:

For waves in space (like light waves), the formula relating speed ($v$), wavelength ($\lambda$), and frequency ($f$) is $v = \lambda\times f$. Since all light travels at the same speed ($c$, the speed of light in a vacuum) in space, from trials 1 - 2, we can infer that as wavelength changes, frequency changes inversely to maintain the constant speed. For example, if one wave has a longer wavelength, its frequency will be lower (and vice - versa) so that the product of wavelength and frequency (which is speed) remains the same. So a statement could be: In space, for waves (such as light waves) with a constant speed, the wavelength and frequency are inversely related, and the product of wavelength and frequency is equal to the constant speed of the wave (as shown by the data in trials 1 - 2 where different wavelengths of light had frequencies that adjusted to keep the speed the same).

Answer:

In space, for waves (e.g., light waves) with a constant speed, wavelength and frequency are inversely related, and the product of wavelength and frequency equals the constant wave speed (evidenced by trials 1 - 2 where light of different wavelengths had frequencies that adjusted to maintain the same speed).