Chose the answer that lists the electromagnetic wave radiant energy forms in order, from longest wavelength to shortest, from lowest frequency to highest.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related by c = λν (where c ≈ 3.00×10^8 m/s). Therefore ordering from longest wavelength to shortest is equivalent to ordering from lowest frequency to highest frequency (and lowest photon energy to highest, since E = hν).

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- c = λν links wavelength (λ) and frequency (ν).
- Wien’s displacement law (λ_max ≈ 2.90×10^-3 m·K / T) gives peak thermal emission wavelength.
- Photon energy E = hν (h ≈ 6.63×10^-34 J·s) increases with frequency.

2) Step-by-step reasoning with representative calculations
- AM radio: typical frequencies ~1 MHz (1.0×10^6 Hz). λ = c/ν = (3.00×10^8 m/s)/(1.0×10^6 s^-1) = 3.0×10^2 m (≈300 m). Very long wavelength.
- Microwave oven: ν ≈ 2.45 GHz (2.45×10^9 Hz). λ = 3.00×10^8 / 2.45×10^9 ≈ 0.122 m (≈12.2 cm). Much shorter than AM.
- Heat from a person (thermal infrared): for T ≈ 310 K, Wien’s law λ_max ≈ 2.90×10^-3 / 310 ≈ 9.4×10^-6 m (≈9.4 µm). Infrared wavelengths are micrometers.
- Incandescent light bulb (visible): visible range ~400–700 nm (4.0×10^-7 to 7.0×10^-7 m). Shorter than infrared.
- UV (black light): near-UV ~365 nm (3.65×10^-7 m), slightly shorter than visible violet.
- Dental X-rays: typical X-ray energies ~tens of keV (e.g., 60 keV → E = 60,000×1.60×10^-19 = 9.6×10^-15 J). λ = hc/E = (6.63×10^-34×3.00×10^8)/9.6×10^-15 ≈ 2.07×10^-11 m (≈0.02 nm). Far shorter than UV.
- Gamma rays: wavelengths < typical X-ray wavelengths (≤10^-12 to 10^-14 m), highest frequencies and energies.

3) Why the listed order is correct
Each listed item goes from progressively shorter λ (AM → microwave → infrared → visible → UV → X-ray → gamma), which corresponds to progressively higher ν and E. The representative calculations above confirm the monotonic decrease in λ.

4) Why other orders would be incorrect
Any alternative ordering that places, for example, visible light longer than typical thermal IR, or microwaves shorter than visible light, contradicts c = λν and the known frequency bands for each radiation type.

5) Conclusion
The provided sequence — "AM radio, microwave oven, heat from a person or pet, incandescent light bulb, UV - black light, dental X rays, gamma rays from a radioactive element" — correctly orders electromagnetic forms from longest wavelength/lowest frequency to shortest wavelength/highest frequency. This matches the given answer.

Chose the answer that lists the electromagnetic wave radiant energy forms in order, from longest wavelength to shortest, from lowest frequency to highest.Single choice

Similar Questions

Which of the following is not part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The human eye can detect Gamma rays.

Which of the following are detectable by the human body?

Which series goes from least energetic to most (with relation to electromagnetic waves)?

Match the type of non-visible radiation to the description of how we interact with it in our daily lives. 1: Infrared 2: Ultraviolet 3: Microwave 4: X-ray 5: Radio

Rank the types of radiation below in order of short wavelength (1) to long wavelength (5). 1: Infrared 2: Ultraviolet 3: Radio 4: X-ray 5: Visible

Compared to a visible light photon, an ultraviolet light photon has...

Rank the following electromagnetic radiations in order of increasing wavelength: 1: 1 (shortest wavelength) 2: 2 3: 3 4: 4 5: 5 6: 6 7: 7 (longest wavelength)

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler