Which of the following statements about electromagnetic radiation is true?

• A. Electromagnetic radiation consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space.
• B. Gamma rays have longer wavelengths than visible light.
• C. Electromagnetic radiation travels at different speeds in a vacuum depending on its wavelength.
• D. Radio waves have higher frequencies than ultraviolet light.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Review the fundamental nature of electromagnetic radiation: it consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space as waves.
2. Recall the relationship between wavelength and frequency for electromagnetic waves: higher frequency corresponds to shorter wavelength, and vice versa.
3. Understand that gamma rays have much shorter wavelengths than visible light, not longer, because they are higher energy radiation.
4. Remember that electromagnetic radiation travels at the same speed in a vacuum (the speed of light, approximately \$3.00 \times 10^{8}$ m/s), regardless of wavelength or frequency.
5. Compare frequencies of different types of electromagnetic waves: radio waves have lower frequencies than ultraviolet light, not higher.