What happens to the frequency and energy of an x-ray photon as its wavelength decreases?

As the wavelength of an x-ray photon decreases, both its frequency and energy increase. This relationship is derived from the fundamental concepts of wave physics. The frequency of a photon is inversely proportional to its wavelength, as described by the equation ( c = \lambda \nu ), where ( c ) is the speed of light, ( \lambda ) is the wavelength, and ( \nu ) is the frequency. When the wavelength decreases, the frequency must increase to maintain the constant speed of light.

Additionally, the energy of a photon is directly related to its frequency through the equation ( E = h \nu ), where ( E ) is energy, ( h ) is Planck's constant, and ( \nu ) is the frequency. As the frequency increases due to the decrease in wavelength, the energy of the photon also increases.

In summary, a decreasing wavelength leads to an increase in both frequency and energy of the x-ray photon, making the correct answer reflect this direct relationship.