Question

Which of the following has the minimum wavelength and which has the maximum wavelength?
Blue light, Infrared rays, Gamma rays, Green light

Answer 1

Hint: The given options are electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic waves exist for a wide range of wavelengths and these are understood by the electromagnetic spectrum. Electromagnetic spectrum is like a chart that arranges the electromagnetic waves in the order of their wavelengths. Use the chart to answer the question.

Complete answer:
The given question is asking about wavelength. Then certainly the given options must be some waves since we know that every wave has a wavelength. Let us first understand what types of waves the given options are.

All the waves in the given options are electromagnetic waves. As the name suggests, the electromagnetic waves are formed from electric and magnetic fields. The electric field and the magnetic field oscillate in different planes perpendicular to each other.

The electromagnetic waves exist for a wide range of wavelengths and these are understood by the electromagnetic spectrum. Electromagnetic spectrum is like a chart that arranges the electromagnetic waves in the order of their wavelengths.

According to the electromagnetic spectrum, the order of the electromagnetic waves with respect to their wavelength is as follows:
Gamma rays < X-rays < Ultraviolet < visible light < infrared < radio waves

Therefore, gamma rays have the minimum wavelength and the infrared radiations have the maximum wavelength.

Note: The visible light has its own spectrum. This spectrum is called VIBGYOR. According to this spectrum, violet light has the minimum wavelength and red light has the maximum wavelength.The frequency of a wave is inversely proportional to its wavelength for a constant speed. Therefore, the wave having the maximum wavelength has the minimum frequency.