Which of the following statements about electromagnetic radiation is true?

• A. Radio waves have higher frequencies than ultraviolet light.
• B. Infrared radiation has more energy per photon than gamma rays.
• C. X-rays have shorter wavelengths than visible light.
• D. Visible light has the longest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the relationship between wavelength (\( \lambda \)) and frequency (\( \nu \)) of electromagnetic radiation: they are inversely proportional, given by the equation \( c = \lambda \nu \), where \( c \) is the speed of light.
2. Understand that higher frequency corresponds to shorter wavelength and higher energy per photon, since photon energy is given by \( E = h \nu \), where \( h \) is Planck's constant.
3. Compare the given statements with the known order of electromagnetic spectrum from longest wavelength/lowest frequency to shortest wavelength/highest frequency: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays.
4. Evaluate each statement: for example, radio waves have lower frequencies than ultraviolet light, infrared radiation has less energy per photon than gamma rays, X-rays have shorter wavelengths than visible light, and visible light does not have the longest wavelength in the spectrum.
5. Conclude that the statement 'X-rays have shorter wavelengths than visible light' is true based on the known electromagnetic spectrum order.