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Difficulty: MediumElectromagnetic Waves and Electromagnetic Spectrum

Arrange the following types of electromagnetic radiation in order of increasing frequency (from lowest frequency to highest frequency).

  1. 1Microwaves
  2. 2Infrared radiation
  3. 3Ultraviolet radiation
  4. 4Gamma rays

Answer

The correct sequence of electromagnetic radiations in order of increasing frequency is: Microwaves, Infrared radiation, Ultraviolet radiation, and Gamma rays.
Electromagnetic waves propagate at the constant speed c=3.0×108 m/sc = 3.0 \times 10^8\text{ m/s} in a vacuum. Frequency increases as wavelength decreases across the spectrum. Microwaves have the longest wavelength and lowest frequency among the choices, followed by infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, and finally gamma rays, which possess the shortest wavelength and highest frequency.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Recall the arrangement of the electromagnetic spectrum in terms of frequency and wavelength.
In the electromagnetic spectrum, frequency increases in the order: Radio waves →\rightarrow Microwaves →\rightarrow Infrared →\rightarrow Visible light →\rightarrow Ultraviolet →\rightarrow X-rays →\rightarrow Gamma rays.
Electromagnetic wave energy E=hfE = hf and frequency f=cλf = \frac{c}{\lambda} increase as wavelength decreases.
2
Identify the relative position of each given radiation type along the frequency scale.
Microwaves (109−1011 Hz10^9 - 10^{11}\text{ Hz}) < Infrared (1011−1014 Hz10^{11} - 10^{14}\text{ Hz}) < Ultraviolet (1015−1016 Hz10^{15} - 10^{16}\text{ Hz}) < Gamma rays (>1019 Hz>10^{19}\text{ Hz}).
Comparing their characteristic frequency ranges determines their exact position in the sequence.
3
Order the items from lowest to highest frequency.
1st: Microwaves, 2nd: Infrared radiation, 3rd: Ultraviolet radiation, 4th: Gamma rays.
This sequence satisfies the requirement of strictly increasing frequency.

Key Concept

Electromagnetic Spectrum Ordering by Frequency and Wavelength
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Topics

Electromagnetic Waves and Electromagnetic Spectrum

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