What does the equation c = λv represent?

The equation c = λv represents the relationship between speed (c), wavelength (λ), and frequency (v) of electromagnetic waves, such as light. In this equation, 'c' denotes the speed of light in a vacuum, which is approximately 3 × 10^8 meters per second. The symbol 'λ' indicates the wavelength of the wave, while 'v' signifies its frequency.

This equation shows that the speed of a wave is the product of its wavelength and frequency, meaning as one of these properties changes, the others do as well to maintain the same speed. For example, if the wavelength of a wave increases, its frequency must decrease in order for the speed (c) to remain constant.

Understanding this relationship is fundamental in fields like physics and chemistry, especially when analyzing how light interacts with matter. Other options presented do not correlate with the equation c = λv as they relate to different physical principles and units.