What physical quantity does the frequency of a wave affect?

The frequency of a wave has a significant impact on its energy. In the context of waves, especially for electromagnetic waves, energy is directly proportional to frequency. This relationship is described by the equation ( E = h \cdot f ), where ( E ) is energy, ( h ) is Planck's constant, and ( f ) is the frequency of the wave. Thus, as the frequency increases, the energy of the wave also increases.

This relationship is crucial in understanding phenomena such as photons in light waves, where higher frequency (or shorter wavelength) light, such as ultraviolet light, carries more energy than lower frequency (or longer wavelength) light, such as infrared light. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the connection between frequency and the energy carried by the wave.