QuestionWhich of the following types of EM radiation has the lowest energy? Radio wave Visible light Gamma Infrared

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

1. Electromagnetic (EM) radiation can be characterized by its wavelength, frequency, and energy.
2. The energy of EM radiation is inversely proportional to its wavelength and directly proportional to its frequency.
3. We need to compare the energy levels of different types of EM radiation: Radio wave, Visible light, Gamma, and Infrared.

STEP 2

1. Understand the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and energy.
2. Identify the order of EM radiation types based on their wavelengths.
3. Determine which type of EM radiation has the lowest energy.

STEP 3

The energy $E$ of EM radiation is given by the equation $E = h \cdot f$ , where $h$ is Planck's constant and $f$ is the frequency.
The frequency $f$ is related to the wavelength $\lambda$ by the equation $c = \lambda \cdot f$ , where $c$ is the speed of light.
Thus, energy is inversely proportional to wavelength: $E = \frac{h \cdot c}{\lambda}$ .

STEP 4

Order the types of EM radiation by their wavelengths from longest to shortest:
1. Radio waves
2. Infrared
3. Visible light
4. Gamma rays

STEP 5

Since energy is inversely proportional to wavelength, the type of EM radiation with the longest wavelength will have the lowest energy.
Radio waves have the longest wavelength among the given options.
The type of EM radiation with the lowest energy is:
$\boxed{\text{Radio wave}}$

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