Skip to main content
Ch.6 - Electronic Structure of Atoms
Brown - Chemistry: The Central Science 15th Edition
Brown15th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780137542970Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksBrown 15th EditionCh.6 - Electronic Structure of AtomsProblem 18
Chapter 6, Problem 18

List the following types of electromagnetic radiation in order of increasing wavelength: (a) the gamma rays produced by a radioactive nuclide used in medical imaging; (b) radiation from an FM radio station at 93.1 MHz on the dial; (c) a radio signal from an AM radio station at 680 kHz on the dial; (d) the yellow light from sodium vapor streetlights; (e) the red light of a light-emitting diode, such as in a calculator display.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand that electromagnetic radiation can be ordered by wavelength, frequency, or energy. Wavelength and frequency are inversely related, meaning as wavelength increases, frequency decreases.
Step 2: Identify the given types of electromagnetic radiation and their typical wavelength ranges: (a) Gamma rays have very short wavelengths, (b) FM radio waves have longer wavelengths than gamma rays, (c) AM radio waves have even longer wavelengths than FM radio waves, (d) Yellow light has a wavelength in the visible spectrum, shorter than radio waves but longer than gamma rays, (e) Red light also falls in the visible spectrum, with a longer wavelength than yellow light.
Step 3: Convert the frequencies of the radio waves to wavelengths using the formula \( \lambda = \frac{c}{f} \), where \( \lambda \) is the wavelength, \( c \) is the speed of light (approximately \( 3.00 \times 10^8 \) m/s), and \( f \) is the frequency.
Step 4: Compare the calculated wavelengths of the FM and AM radio waves with the known ranges of gamma rays, yellow light, and red light to establish the order of increasing wavelength.
Step 5: List the types of radiation in order of increasing wavelength based on your comparisons: gamma rays, yellow light, red light, FM radio waves, AM radio waves.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of electromagnetic radiation, arranged by wavelength or frequency. It ranges from gamma rays, which have very short wavelengths, to radio waves, which have much longer wavelengths. Understanding the spectrum is crucial for comparing different types of radiation and their properties.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:53
Electromagnetic Spectrum

Wavelength and Frequency Relationship

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related properties of electromagnetic radiation. As the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation c = λν, where c is the speed of light, λ is the wavelength, and ν is the frequency, allowing for the calculation of one property if the other is known.
Recommended video:
Guided course
00:31
Frequency-Wavelength Relationship

Types of Electromagnetic Radiation

Different types of electromagnetic radiation include gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, and radio waves. Each type has distinct applications and characteristics, such as energy levels and interactions with matter. Recognizing these types helps in categorizing and ordering them based on their wavelengths.
Recommended video:
Guided course
01:02
Electromagnetic Radiation Example
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Label each of the following statements as true or false. a. The frequency of radiation increases as the wavelength increases. b. Electromagnetic radiation travels through a vacuum at a constant speed, regardless of wavelength. c. Infrared light has higher frequencies than visible light. d. The glow from a fireplace, the energy within a microwave oven, and a foghorn blast are all forms of electromagnetic radiation.

Textbook Question

Arrange the following kinds of electromagnetic radiation in order of increasing wavelength: infrared light, green light, red light, radio waves, X rays, ultraviolet light.

Textbook Question

A laser pointer used in a lecture hall emits light at 650 nm. What is the frequency of this radiation?

Textbook Question

(d) What distance does electromagnetic radiation travel in 0.38 ps?

Textbook Question

(a) What is the frequency of radiation that has a wavelength of 10 µm, about the size of a bacterium?

1
views
Textbook Question

Label each of the following statements as true or false. c. X rays travel faster than microwaves.