Electromagnetic Spectrum

Which portion of the electromagnetic spectrum includes the entire range of light that can be detected by the human eye? 

• ultraviolet light

• visible light

• infrared light

• x-rays

Answer explanation

The visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum ranges from approximately 400 to 700 nanometers, which is the only range detectable by the human eye. Other options like ultraviolet and infrared light are outside this range.

Which is the correct order of waves of the electromagnetic spectrum, from lowest energy to highest energy? 

• radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays, gamma rays

• gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared light, microwaves, radio waves

Answer explanation

The correct order of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum from lowest to highest energy is: radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays, gamma rays. This sequence reflects increasing energy and frequency.

_____ have the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies of all electromagnetic waves.

• microwaves

• radio waves

• gamma rays

• ultraviolet

Answer explanation

Radio waves have the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum, making them the correct choice. In contrast, microwaves, gamma rays, and ultraviolet rays have shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

The higher the frequency the ______ the energy. 

• higher

• lower

• neither, stays the same

Answer explanation

The higher the frequency, the higher the energy. This relationship is described by the equation E = hf, where E is energy, h is Planck's constant, and f is frequency. Thus, as frequency increases, energy also increases.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Which has the SHORTEST wavelength and, therefore, the highest frequency/most energy

• Radio waves

• Ultraviolet Rays

• Gamma Rays

• X-rays

Answer explanation

Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum, which corresponds to the highest frequency and most energy. This makes them more energetic than radio waves, ultraviolet rays, and X-rays.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

The distance between two crests or two troughs of a wave is called:

• frequency

• amplitud

• wavelength

• hertz

Answer explanation

The distance between two crests or two troughs of a wave is known as the wavelength. It measures the length of one complete wave cycle, making 'wavelength' the correct answer.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

The frequency of infrared waves is..

• 10¹² Hz

• 10²⁰ Hz

• 10⁴ Hz

• 10¹⁵ Hz

Answer explanation

The frequency of infrared waves typically ranges from about 10^12 Hz to 10^14 Hz. The correct choice, 10^12 Hz, accurately represents the lower end of this range, making it the best answer.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What is the correct order of the visible light spectrum starting with the longer wavelength?

• Red, yellow, orange, blue, violet, indigo

• Violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red

• Green, yellow, blue, indigo, red, orange

• Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet

Answer explanation

The visible light spectrum is ordered by wavelength from longest to shortest as follows: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Therefore, the correct choice is 'Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet'.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

True or false: as you move along the spectrum, radio to gamma waves, the wavelengths decrease in size (get smaller)

• true

• false

Answer explanation

True. As you move from radio waves to gamma rays on the electromagnetic spectrum, the wavelengths decrease in size, meaning they get smaller.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

A wave with a large wavelength will have a ______ frequency and _____ energy

• high, low

• high, high

• low, high

• low, low

Answer explanation

A wave's frequency is inversely related to its wavelength. A large wavelength means a low frequency. Additionally, energy is directly proportional to frequency; thus, a low frequency corresponds to low energy. Therefore, the correct answer is low, low.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1