Concept:In the electromagnetic spectrum, photon energy and penetrating power increase directly with frequency and inversely with wavelength.
Formula / Reaction:$$E = h f = \frac{h c}{\lambda}$$
Solution:- The electromagnetic spectrum ordered by increasing frequency is: Radio waves < Microwaves < Infrared < Visible light < Ultraviolet < X-rays < Gamma rays.
- Gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths (\(\lambda < 10^{-11}\text{ m}\)) and highest frequencies (\(f > 10^{19}\text{ Hz}\)).
- Because photon energy is directly proportional to frequency (\(E = hf\)), Gamma rays carry the highest energy per quantum and have the greatest penetrating power.
Why other options are incorrect:X-rays, Ultraviolet rays, and Microwaves possess longer wavelengths, lower frequencies, and lower photon energies than Gamma rays, giving them significantly lower penetrating power.
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