What electromagnetic waves have the highest frequency and shortest wavelength?

What electromagnetic waves have the highest frequency and shortest wavelength?

• A. Infrared
• B. Ultraviolet
• C. Gamma rays
• D. Radio

Answer: (C)

Electromagnetic waves differ in frequency and wavelength, and they are inversely related: higher frequency means shorter wavelength (f = c/λ). Gamma rays occupy the highest end of the spectrum, with wavelengths around 10^-14 to 10^-11 meters and frequencies around 10^19 to 10^21 Hz, making them the most energetic photons and the shortest wavelengths among common types. Infrared waves have longer wavelengths and lower frequencies, ultraviolet waves have shorter wavelengths than visible light but longer than gamma rays, and radio waves have the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies. So the waves with the highest frequency and shortest wavelength in this set are gamma rays.

Electromagnetic waves differ in frequency and wavelength, and they are inversely related: higher frequency means shorter wavelength (f = c/λ). Gamma rays occupy the highest end of the spectrum, with wavelengths around 10^-14 to 10^-11 meters and frequencies around 10^19 to 10^21 Hz, making them the most energetic photons and the shortest wavelengths among common types. Infrared waves have longer wavelengths and lower frequencies, ultraviolet waves have shorter wavelengths than visible light but longer than gamma rays, and radio waves have the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies. So the waves with the highest frequency and shortest wavelength in this set are gamma rays.