Which of the following correctly describes how different types of radiation are arranged along the electromagnetic spectrum?

• A. They are arranged in order of decreasing frequency, from radio waves to gamma rays.
• B. They are arranged in order of increasing wavelength, from gamma rays to radio waves.
• C. They are arranged in order of increasing energy, from infrared to microwave.
• D. They are arranged randomly without regard to wavelength or frequency.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that the electromagnetic spectrum arranges types of radiation based on their wavelength, frequency, and energy.
2. Understand the relationship between wavelength (\( \lambda \)), frequency (\( \nu \)), and energy (\( E \)) given by the equations: \[ c = \lambda \times \nu \] where \( c \) is the speed of light, and \[ E = h \times \nu \] where \( h \) is Planck's constant.
3. Recognize that frequency and wavelength are inversely related: as wavelength increases, frequency decreases, and vice versa.
4. Identify that gamma rays have the highest frequency and energy but the shortest wavelength, while radio waves have the lowest frequency and energy but the longest wavelength.
5. Conclude that the electromagnetic spectrum is correctly arranged in order of increasing wavelength from gamma rays to radio waves, which corresponds to decreasing frequency and energy.