Question

select the correct answer.
which sequence shows electromagnetic waves arranged from shorter to longer wavelengths?

a. visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, and ultraviolet rays

b. infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, and microwaves

c. microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, and ultraviolet radiation

d. ultraviolet radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, and microwaves

Explanation:

To determine the correct sequence of electromagnetic waves from shorter to longer wavelengths, we recall the electromagnetic spectrum order. The order of electromagnetic waves from shortest to longest wavelength (or highest to lowest frequency) is: gamma rays, X - rays, ultraviolet (UV), visible light, infrared (IR), microwaves, radio waves.

Now let's analyze each option:

• Option A: Visible light has a longer wavelength than ultraviolet rays, and infrared and microwaves have longer wavelengths than visible light. So this order is incorrect.
• Option B: Infrared has a longer wavelength than visible light, and ultraviolet has a shorter wavelength than visible light. So this order is incorrect.
• Option C: Microwaves have a longer wavelength than infrared, infrared than visible, and visible than ultraviolet. This is the reverse of what we need.
• Option D: Ultraviolet radiation has a shorter wavelength than visible light, visible light has a shorter wavelength than infrared radiation, and infrared radiation has a shorter wavelength than microwaves. This follows the order from shorter to longer wavelengths.

Answer:

D. ultraviolet radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, and microwaves