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Difficulty: Very hardWaves, Sound, and Light

Arrange the following examples of electromagnetic radiation in order of DECREASING wavelength, from the longest wavelength (first) to the shortest wavelength (last).

  1. 1The electromagnetic waves used to transmit AM radio broadcasts
  2. 2The signals used by an air traffic control radar system
  3. 3The radiation detected by a thermal imaging camera
  4. 4The radiation that is the primary cause of sunburns on human skin
  5. 5The radiation emitted by a radioactive tracer during a PET scan

Answer

The correct order from longest to shortest wavelength is: AM radio broadcasts (Radio), air traffic control radar (Microwave), thermal imaging (Infrared), sunburn-causing radiation (Ultraviolet), and PET scan emissions (Gamma rays).
The correct sequence maps each application to its electromagnetic band and orders them strictly by decreasing wavelength. Radio waves (AM radio) have the longest wavelengths, followed by microwaves (radar), infrared (thermal imaging), ultraviolet (sunburns), and finally gamma rays (PET scans) with the shortest wavelengths.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the electromagnetic spectrum band corresponding to each real-world application.
AM radio = Radio waves; Radar = Microwaves; Thermal imaging = Infrared; Sunburn = Ultraviolet; PET scan = Gamma rays.
Mapping the practical examples to their scientific classification is necessary to compare their physical properties.
2
Recall the standard order of the electromagnetic spectrum bands.
The bands in sequence are: Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible light, Ultraviolet, X-ray, Gamma ray.
The spectrum is a continuous sequence organized by the fundamental properties of the waves.
3
Determine the direction of decreasing wavelength across the spectrum.
Wavelength is longest for Radio waves and continuously decreases towards Gamma rays, which have the shortest wavelength.
Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional. Since energy and frequency increase from Radio to Gamma, wavelength must decrease in that same direction.
4
Arrange the identified applications from longest wavelength to shortest wavelength.
Radio (longest), then Microwave, Infrared, Ultraviolet, and Gamma rays (shortest).
This sequence perfectly matches the decreasing wavelength criteria requested in the stem.

Key Concept

Electromagnetic Spectrum and Wavelength Properties
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Topics

Waves, Sound, and Light

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