Electromagnetic Spectrum Physics Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

easy
Arrange the following EM waves from lowest to highest frequency: visible light, X-rays, radio waves, ultraviolet, infrared, gamma rays, microwaves.

Solution

  1. 1
    The electromagnetic spectrum from lowest to highest frequency: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays.
  2. 2
    This is also the order from longest to shortest wavelength.
  3. 3
    All travel at the same speed (c=3×108 m/sc = 3 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}) in a vacuum.

Answer

Radio<Microwave<IR<Visible<UV<X-ray<Gamma\text{Radio} < \text{Microwave} < \text{IR} < \text{Visible} < \text{UV} < \text{X-ray} < \text{Gamma}
The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all EM waves ordered by frequency (or wavelength). Higher frequency means shorter wavelength and more energy per photon. All EM waves travel at the speed of light.

About Electromagnetic Spectrum

The complete continuum of all electromagnetic waves, organized in order of increasing frequency (or decreasing wavelength).

Learn more about Electromagnetic Spectrum →

More Electromagnetic Spectrum Examples

Example 2 medium

A photon of ultraviolet light has a wavelength of [formula]. What is its energy? Use [formula] and [

Example 3 medium

A cell phone operates at [formula] and an X-ray machine at [formula]. By what factor is the X-ray fr

Example 4 hard

The human eye detects light from [formula] (violet) to [formula] (red). What is the range of frequen

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