One type of electromagnetic radiation has a frequency of...

One type of electromagnetic radiation has a frequency of $107.1$ MHz, another type has a wavelength of $2.12 \times 10^{-10} \mathrm{~m}$, and another type of electromagnetic radiation has photons with energy equal to $3.97 \times 10^{-19} \mathrm{~J} /$ photon. Identify each type of electromagnetic radiation and place them in order of increasing photon energy and increasing frequency.

Key Concepts

Ordering of Electromagnetic Radiation by Energy and Frequency

Understanding the ordering of electromagnetic radiation involves recognizing that as one moves from the low-frequency end (such as radio waves) to the high-frequency end (such as gamma rays) of the electromagnetic spectrum, the photon energy increases. This concept allows for the comparison and ranking of different types of electromagnetic waves by either their photon energy or frequency, making it easier to classify and understand their behaviors in various practical and scientific contexts.

Photon Energy and its Relationship to Frequency and Wavelength

Photon energy is directly proportional to the frequency of the electromagnetic wave, as described by the equation E = hf, where E is the energy, h is Planck’s constant, and f is the frequency. Since wavelength and frequency are inversely related (? = c/f, where c is the speed of light), shorter wavelengths correspond to higher frequencies and thus higher photon energies. This fundamental relationship is crucial for converting between these properties in various electromagnetic radiation types.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of electromagnetic radiation, ranging from low-frequency, long-wavelength radio waves to high-frequency, short-wavelength gamma rays. This broad spectrum is categorized into different regions (such as radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays) based on their wavelengths and frequencies, which in turn determine their energy levels.