Which type of light on the electromagnetic spectrum has the lowest energy per photon?

• A. Ultraviolet light
• B. Infrared light
• C. Radio waves
• D. Gamma rays

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the energy of a photon is given by the equation \(E = h \nu\), where \(E\) is energy, \(h\) is Planck's constant, and \(\nu\) (nu) is the frequency of the light.
2. Understand that frequency (\(\nu\)) and wavelength (\(\lambda\)) are inversely related by the equation \(\nu = \frac{c}{\lambda}\), where \(c\) is the speed of light.
3. Recognize that higher frequency corresponds to higher energy per photon, and lower frequency corresponds to lower energy per photon.
4. Identify the relative positions of the given types of light on the electromagnetic spectrum: Gamma rays have the highest frequency, followed by Ultraviolet light, then Infrared light, and Radio waves have the lowest frequency.
5. Conclude that since Radio waves have the lowest frequency, they also have the lowest energy per photon among the options provided.