Which of the following statements about infrared radiation is true?

• A. Infrared radiation has a higher frequency than ultraviolet radiation.
• B. Infrared radiation is more energetic than X-rays.
• C. Infrared radiation has a longer wavelength than visible light.
• D. Infrared radiation is visible to the human eye.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the electromagnetic spectrum and the relative positions of different types of radiation, including infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, and X-rays.
2. Understand that frequency and wavelength are inversely related by the equation \(\lambda = \frac{c}{\nu}\), where \(\lambda\) is wavelength, \(c\) is the speed of light, and \(\nu\) is frequency.
3. Compare the frequency and energy of infrared radiation to ultraviolet and X-rays, knowing that higher frequency corresponds to higher energy.
4. Recognize that infrared radiation has a longer wavelength than visible light, which means it has lower frequency and energy compared to visible light.
5. Recall that infrared radiation is not visible to the human eye, unlike visible light, so any statement claiming infrared is visible is false.