Which of the following types of radiation has the highest energy?

• A. Infrared radiation
• B. Gamma rays
• C. Visible light
• D. Microwaves

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the relationship between the energy of electromagnetic radiation and its frequency, which 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 radiation.
2. Understand that the frequency \(\nu\) and wavelength \(\lambda\) of electromagnetic radiation are related by the equation \(c = \lambda \nu\), where \(c\) is the speed of light.
3. Recognize that higher frequency corresponds to higher energy, and since frequency and wavelength are inversely related, shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy.
4. Compare the types of radiation given: microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, and gamma rays, noting their typical wavelength ranges. Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength and thus the highest frequency.
5. Conclude that gamma rays have the highest energy among the options because they have the highest frequency and shortest wavelength according to the electromagnetic spectrum.