Which of the following types of electromagnetic radiation has the highest frequency?

• A. Gamma rays
• B. Microwaves
• C. Infrared radiation
• D. Visible light

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the relationship between the frequency (\(\nu\)) and wavelength (\(\lambda\)) of electromagnetic radiation, which is given by the equation \(c = \nu \lambda\), where \(c\) is the speed of light (\$3.00 \times 10^{8} \, \text{m/s}$).
2. Understand that frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional: as wavelength decreases, frequency increases, and vice versa.
3. Identify the general order of electromagnetic radiation from longest wavelength (lowest frequency) to shortest wavelength (highest frequency): Microwaves, Infrared radiation, Visible light, Ultraviolet, X-rays, and Gamma rays.
4. Compare the given options (Microwaves, Infrared radiation, Visible light, Gamma rays) based on their position in the electromagnetic spectrum to determine which has the shortest wavelength and thus the highest frequency.
5. Conclude that Gamma rays have the highest frequency among the options because they have the shortest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum.