Which statement is true about the energy of electromagnetic radiation?

• A. All types of electromagnetic radiation have the same energy.
• B. The energy of electromagnetic radiation increases as its frequency increases.
• C. Electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths has higher energy.
• D. The energy of electromagnetic radiation is independent of its wavelength.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the fundamental relationship between the energy of electromagnetic radiation and its frequency, given by the equation \(E = h \nu\), where \(E\) is energy, \(h\) is Planck's constant, and \(\nu\) (nu) is the frequency.
2. Understand that Planck's constant \(h\) is a fixed value, so the energy \(E\) is directly proportional to the frequency \(\nu\) of the radiation.
3. Recognize that frequency \(\nu\) and wavelength \(\lambda\) are inversely related by the equation \(\nu = \frac{c}{\lambda}\), where \(c\) is the speed of light.
4. From the inverse relationship, conclude that electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths has lower frequency and therefore lower energy.
5. Summarize that the energy of electromagnetic radiation increases as its frequency increases and decreases as its wavelength increases, making the statement 'The energy of electromagnetic radiation increases as its frequency increases' the true one.