Among the following types of electromagnetic radiation, which has the longest wavelength and which has the highest frequency?

• A. Radio waves have the longest wavelength; gamma rays have the highest frequency.
• B. Gamma rays have the longest wavelength; radio waves have the highest frequency.
• C. Ultraviolet light has the longest wavelength; infrared has the highest frequency.
• D. Visible light has the longest wavelength; X-rays have the highest frequency.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the relationship between wavelength (\( \lambda \)) and frequency (\( \nu \)) of electromagnetic radiation, which is given by the equation: \[ c = \lambda \times \nu \] where \( c \) is the speed of light (approximately \( 3.00 \times 10^{8} \, \text{m/s} \)).
2. Understand that wavelength and frequency are inversely related: as wavelength increases, frequency decreases, and vice versa.
3. Identify the types of electromagnetic radiation listed: radio waves, gamma rays, ultraviolet light, infrared, visible light, and X-rays.
4. Recall the general order of electromagnetic radiation from longest wavelength (lowest frequency) to shortest wavelength (highest frequency): Radio waves > Infrared > Visible light > Ultraviolet > X-rays > Gamma rays.
5. Use this order to determine that radio waves have the longest wavelength and gamma rays have the highest frequency.