Question

Which combination best describes waves associated with gamma ray radiation?
Low energy, low frequency
High energy, low frequency
Low energy, high frequency
High energy, high frequency
10)
Mechanical (sound) waves are unable to travel through a vacuum, such as through space, but radio

Answer 1

Answer:

1) High energy, high frequency

2) Radio waves can travel through a vacuum

Explanation:

1)

Electromagnetic waves are waves consisting of oscillations of electric and magnetic fields in a plane perpendicular to the direction of motion the wave.

All the electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum at the same speed, the speed of light:

$c=3.0\cdot 10^8 m/s$

Electromagnetic waves are also classified into 7 different types, depending on their wavelength/frequency. From the shortest to the longest wavelength (and so, from highest to lowest frequency), we have:

Gamma rays

X rays

Ultraviolet

Visible light

Infrared radiation

Microwaves

Radio waves

So, gamma rays are the electromagnetic waves with highest frequency. Also, the energy of an EM wave is proportional to its frequency, according to the formula:

$E=hf$

where E is the energy, h the Planck constant, f the frequency. Therefore, the gamma rays are the electromagnetic waves with highest frequency and highest energy.

2)

In nature, there are two types of waves:

• Electromagnetic waves: they consist of oscillations of the electric and magnetic field, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave (therefore, they are called transverse waves). They are the only waves able to travel through a vacuum.
• Mechanical waves: they are waves produced by the oscillations of the particles in a medium. An example are sound waves, which are produced by the oscillations back-and-forth of the particles in the medium they are travelling through (e.g. air). These waves do need a medium to propagate.

From the definitions above, it is clear that mechanical waves cannot travel through a vacuum.

However, radio waves are parts of the electromagnetic waves: therefore, they are able to propagate through a  vacuum, and therefore also through space.

Answer 2

Answer:

1) High energy, high frequency

2) Radio waves can travel through a vacuum

Explanation:

1)

Electromagnetic waves are waves consisting of oscillations of electric and magnetic fields in a plane perpendicular to the direction of motion the wave.

All the electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum at the same speed, the speed of light:

Electromagnetic waves are also classified into 7 different types, depending on their wavelength/frequency. From the shortest to the longest wavelength (and so, from highest to lowest frequency), we have:

Gamma rays

X rays

Ultraviolet

Visible light

Infrared radiation

Microwaves

Radio waves

So, gamma rays are the electromagnetic waves with highest frequency. Also, the energy of an EM wave is proportional to its frequency, according to the formula:

where E is the energy, h the Planck constant, f the frequency. Therefore, the gamma rays are the electromagnetic waves with highest frequency and highest energy.

2)

In nature, there are two types of waves:

Electromagnetic waves: they consist of oscillations of the electric and magnetic field, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave (therefore, they are called transverse waves). They are the only waves able to travel through a vacuum.

Mechanical waves: they are waves produced by the oscillations of the particles in a medium. An example are sound waves, which are produced by the oscillations back-and-forth of the particles in the medium they are travelling through (e.g. air). These waves do need a medium to propagate.

From the definitions above, it is clear that mechanical waves cannot travel through a vacuum.

However, radio waves are parts of the electromagnetic waves: therefore, they are able to propagate through a  vacuum, and therefore also through space.

Explanation: