Which type of electromagnetic waves has the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency?

• A. Microwaves
• B. Gamma rays
• C. Infrared radiation
• D. Radio waves

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the relationship between wavelength and frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum: as wavelength decreases, frequency increases, and vice versa. This is expressed by the equation \(\lambda \times \nu = c\), where \(\lambda\) is wavelength, \(\nu\) is frequency, and \(c\) is the speed of light.
2. Understand the order of electromagnetic waves from longest wavelength (lowest frequency) to shortest wavelength (highest frequency): Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared radiation, Visible light, Ultraviolet, X-rays, and Gamma rays.
3. Identify that Gamma rays are at the extreme end of the electromagnetic spectrum with the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies compared to the other options given.
4. Compare the options: Microwaves have longer wavelengths and lower frequencies than Infrared radiation, which in turn have longer wavelengths than Gamma rays. Radio waves have the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies.
5. Conclude that Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength and highest frequency among the options provided.