Which type of electromagnetic waves has the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency?

• A. Ultraviolet rays
• B. Radio waves
• C. Infrared waves
• D. Gamma rays

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the relationship between wavelength (\( \lambda \)) and frequency (\( \nu \)) of electromagnetic waves, which is given by the equation: \[ c = \lambda \times \nu \] where \( c \) is the speed of light (approximately \( 3.00 \times 10^{8} \, \text{m/s} \)).
2. Understand that the electromagnetic spectrum is arranged in order of increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength, starting from radio waves (longest wavelength, lowest frequency) to gamma rays (shortest wavelength, highest frequency).
3. Identify the types of electromagnetic waves given in the problem: ultraviolet rays, radio waves, infrared waves, and gamma rays.
4. Compare these types based on their position in the electromagnetic spectrum: radio waves have the longest wavelength and lowest frequency, followed by infrared, then ultraviolet, and finally gamma rays, which have the shortest wavelength and highest frequency.
5. Conclude that gamma rays have the shortest wavelength and highest frequency among the options provided, based on their position in the electromagnetic spectrum and the inverse relationship between wavelength and frequency.