Which of the following best describes the electromagnetic spectrum?

• A. A collection of visible colors produced when white light passes through a prism.
• B. A chart showing the atomic emission lines for different elements.
• C. The set of frequencies at which sound waves travel through air.
• D. The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, ordered by wavelength or frequency.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of electromagnetic radiation, which includes a wide range of wavelengths and frequencies beyond just visible light.
2. Recognize that visible light is only a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, which also includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
3. Know that the electromagnetic spectrum is typically represented as a continuous range ordered by wavelength (from longest to shortest) or frequency (from lowest to highest).
4. Distinguish the electromagnetic spectrum from other concepts such as the visible colors produced by a prism, atomic emission line charts, or sound wave frequencies, which are unrelated or only partial aspects.
5. Conclude that the best description of the electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, ordered by wavelength or frequency.