Visible Light Spectrum (AQA GCSE Physics): Revision Note

Visible Light Spectrum

• Each colour within the visible light spectrum corresponds to a narrow band of wavelength and frequency

• The different colours of waves correspond to different wavelengths:

  • Red has the longest wavelength (and the lowest frequency and energy)

  • Violet has the shortest wavelength (and the highest frequency and energy)

Colours of the visible spectrum with increasing wavelength

• Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional, this means that:

  • An increase in wavelength is a decrease in frequency (towards the red end of the spectrum)

  • A decrease in wavelength is an increase in frequency (towards the violet end of the spectrum)