Textbook Problem

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Of the following types of electromagnetic radiation-radio waves, microwaves, gamma rays, and visible—which one has the longest wavelength? Which one has the highest frequency?

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The longest wavelength and the highest frequency electromagnetic radiation are to be identified.

Concept introduction:

The distance between two consecutive crests of a wave is called wavelength.

Frequency is the number of waves that pass through a fixed point per second.

The relation between wavelength and frequency of radiation is as follows:

$\lambda =\frac{c}{\nu }$

Here, $\lambda$ is the wavelength of radiation, $c$ is the speed of light, and $\nu$ is the frequency.

Explanation of Solution

The wavelengths of the given electromagnetic radiations are as follows:

Radio waves ($1-{10}^4\text{m}$), Microwaves (${10}^{-2}\text{m}$), Gamma rays (${10}^{-12}\text{m}$) and visible light ($4\times {10}^{-7}\text{m}\text{-}$