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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 17
Chapter 6, Problem 17

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

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1
Understand that electromagnetic radiation can be arranged by wavelength, frequency, or energy. Wavelength and frequency are inversely related, while energy is directly related to frequency.
Recall the general order of electromagnetic spectrum from shortest to longest wavelength: gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet (UV) light, visible light (violet to red), infrared (IR) light, microwaves, and radio waves.
Identify the given types of radiation: infrared light, green light, red light, radio waves, X-rays, and ultraviolet light.
Place the visible light colors in order of increasing wavelength: green light has a shorter wavelength than red light.
Arrange the given types of radiation in order of increasing wavelength: X-rays, ultraviolet light, green light, red light, infrared light, 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. It ranges from gamma rays with very short wavelengths to radio waves with much longer wavelengths. Understanding this spectrum is crucial for categorizing different types of radiation and their properties.

Wavelength

Wavelength is the distance between successive peaks of a wave, typically measured in nanometers (nm) for light. In the context of electromagnetic radiation, shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy and frequency, while longer wavelengths indicate lower energy and frequency. This relationship is fundamental for comparing different types of radiation.
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Frequency-Wavelength Relationship

Types of Electromagnetic Radiation

Different types of electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared, visible light (including green and red light), ultraviolet, X-rays, and radio waves, have distinct properties and applications. For example, infrared is used in thermal imaging, while X-rays are utilized in medical imaging. Recognizing these types helps in understanding their arrangement by wavelength.
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.

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Textbook Question

Label each of the following statements as true or false. b. Ultraviolet light has longer wavelengths than visible light.

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Textbook Question

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

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Textbook Question

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

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Textbook Question

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

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Textbook Question

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

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