9. Which type of wave has the shortest wavelengths?
Answer: B
Gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths.
Gamma rays are the type of electromagnetic radiation that possess the shortest wavelengths, typically less than 0.01 nanometers, and are known for their high energy.
A) Visible light
Visible light has longer wavelengths that range from approximately 400 to 700 nanometers. This range is significantly greater than that of gamma rays, making visible light incorrect for this question regarding the shortest wavelengths.
B) Gamma rays
Gamma rays are characterized by their extremely short wavelengths, often less than 0.01 nanometers. This places them at the high-energy end of the electromagnetic spectrum, confirming that they indeed have the shortest wavelengths among the given options.
C) Ultraviolet radiation
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has wavelengths that range from about 10 to 400 nanometers, which are longer than those of gamma rays. Therefore, while UV radiation does have short wavelengths compared to visible light and infrared radiation, it does not have the shortest wavelengths overall.
D) Infrared radiation
Infrared radiation has wavelengths ranging from about 700 nanometers to 1 millimeter, placing it much longer than gamma rays. As a result, infrared radiation is not the correct choice for the type of wave with the shortest wavelengths.
Conclusion
Gamma rays are definitively the type of wave with the shortest wavelengths, as they are positioned at the extreme end of the electromagnetic spectrum. All other options, including visible light, ultraviolet radiation, and infrared radiation, have longer wavelengths, disqualifying them from being correct answers to the question.