High frequency electromagnetic waves with short wavelengths are called?

High frequency electromagnetic waves with short wavelengths are called?

• A. X-rays
• B. Infrared
• C. Visible Light
• D. Radio Waves

Answer: (A)

High frequency and short wavelength describe X-rays because electromagnetic waves in vacuum satisfy c = fλ, so increasing frequency means decreasing wavelength. On the spectrum, X-rays have much shorter wavelengths than visible light, infrared, or radio waves, placing them in the high-frequency, short-wavelength region. Their photons carry a lot of energy (E = hf), which explains their ability to penetrate matter and their use in imaging. Gamma rays have even higher frequency and shorter wavelengths, while radio waves have the opposite, with long wavelengths and low frequency.

High frequency and short wavelength describe X-rays because electromagnetic waves in vacuum satisfy c = fλ, so increasing frequency means decreasing wavelength. On the spectrum, X-rays have much shorter wavelengths than visible light, infrared, or radio waves, placing them in the high-frequency, short-wavelength region. Their photons carry a lot of energy (E = hf), which explains their ability to penetrate matter and their use in imaging. Gamma rays have even higher frequency and shorter wavelengths, while radio waves have the opposite, with long wavelengths and low frequency.