Practice arranging parts of the electromagnetic spectrum from longest to shortest wavelength and explaining how wavelength relates to frequency and energy.

Read each problem carefully. Use the electromagnetic spectrum order: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays. Show your work in the space provided.

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Ordering electromagnetic waves by wavelength and connecting wavelength to frequency and energy

Physics - Grade 9-12

Instructions: Read each problem carefully. Use the electromagnetic spectrum order: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays. Show your work in the space provided.
  1. 1

    List the seven major regions of the electromagnetic spectrum from longest wavelength to shortest wavelength.

  2. 2

    Put these waves in order from longest wavelength to shortest wavelength: ultraviolet, radio waves, infrared, gamma rays.

  3. 3

    A student writes this order from longest to shortest wavelength: microwaves, radio waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays. Identify the mistake and correct the order.

  4. 4

    Which has the shorter wavelength: visible light or X-rays? Explain your answer using the electromagnetic spectrum order.

  5. 5

    The visible light spectrum is usually ordered by wavelength from red to violet. Which color of visible light has the longest wavelength, and which has the shortest wavelength?

  6. 6

    Rank these from longest wavelength to shortest wavelength: blue light, red light, microwaves, ultraviolet.

  7. 7

    Electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum. If wavelength decreases, what happens to frequency? Use this idea to explain why gamma rays have higher frequency than radio waves.

  8. 8

    Arrange these applications from longest wavelength radiation to shortest wavelength radiation: dental imaging, TV broadcasting, heat lamps, sterilizing equipment that uses ultraviolet light.

  9. 9

    A diagram shows wavelength decreasing from left to right. Where should infrared be placed: between microwaves and visible light, between visible light and ultraviolet, or between X-rays and gamma rays?

  10. 10

    Two electromagnetic waves are compared. Wave A is ultraviolet radiation, and Wave B is infrared radiation. Which wave has the longer wavelength, and which has the higher energy?

  11. 11

    Correctly complete this sequence from longest wavelength to shortest wavelength: radio waves, microwaves, blank, visible light, blank, X-rays, gamma rays.

  12. 12

    A science article says that gamma rays have the longest wavelength and lowest frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum. Explain why this statement is incorrect.

LivePhysics™.com Physics - Grade 9-12