The energy of light (or any electromagnetic radiation) is inversely related to its wavelength: shorter wavelength means higher energy; longer wavelength means lower energy.

Core relationship

For a single photon, the relationship is given by:

  • E=hfE=hfE=hf, where:
    • EEE is energy
    • hhh is Planck’s constant
    • fff is frequency
  • Since c=λfc=\lambda fc=λf for light in a vacuum, this can be rewritten as:
    • E=hcλE=\dfrac{hc}{\lambda}E=λhc​

From E=hc/λE=hc/\lambda E=hc/λ, you can see:

  • As wavelength λ\lambda λ decreases , energy EEE increases.
  • As wavelength λ\lambda λ increases , energy EEE decreases.

Intuitive picture

  • High-energy electromagnetic waves (like X‑rays and gamma rays) have very short wavelengths and very high frequencies.
  • Low-energy waves (like radio waves) have very long wavelengths and low frequencies.

So, in simple terms: shorter wavelength → higher energy; longer wavelength → lower energy.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.