Problem 13 - Chemistry: The Central Science

Question

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

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The order of increasing wavelength for the given types of electromagnetic radiation is X-rays, ultraviolet light, green light, red light, infrared, and radio waves.

Step 1: Review the electromagnetic spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum is the complete range of electromagnetic waves, organized by frequency and wavelength. The main types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum are radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays. Within visible light, the colors of light (e.g., red, green, blue) are also ordered by their wavelength.

Step 2: Identify the relative positions of the given types of radiation

Here are the types of electromagnetic radiation we need to sort, along with their general positions in the electromagnetic spectrum: 1. Infrared - found between microwaves and visible light, with a longer wavelength than visible light 2. Green light - within the visible light spectrum, with colors ordered from long to short wavelength as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (Think of the acronym ROYGBIV) 3. Red light - within the visible light spectrum, closest to the infrared boundary 4. Radio waves - longer wavelength end of the electromagnetic spectrum 5. X-rays - between ultraviolet light and gamma rays, with a shorter wavelength than ultraviolet light 6. Ultraviolet light - between visible light and X-rays, with a shorter wavelength than visible light

Step 3: Arrange the types of radiation in the order of increasing wavelength

Now that we have identified the positions of the given types of radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum, we can arrange them in order of increasing wavelength as follows: 1. X-rays 2. Ultraviolet light 3. Green light 4. Red light 5. Infrared 6. Radio waves In conclusion, the order of increasing wavelength for the given types of electromagnetic radiation is X-rays, ultraviolet light, green light, red light, infrared, and radio waves.