Use the information about four different ways to answer the question which wave contains the lowest energy
There are four different ways to answer the question as to which wave contains the lowest energy:
1. Frequency: According to the electromagnetic spectrum, the wave with the lowest frequency has the lowest energy. Lower energy waves have longer wavelengths and lower frequencies. The waves at the lower end of the spectrum, such as radio waves, have the lowest energy.
2. Wavelength: Similarly, considering the relationship between wavelength and energy, longer wavelengths correspond to lower energies. This means that waves with longer wavelengths, such as radio waves and microwaves, have the lowest energy.
3. Photon Energy: Analyzing waves from a particle perspective, the energy of a wave can be determined by the energy carried by its photons. Photons are the fundamental particles of light. In this view, waves with lower energy have photons with lower energies. In general, infrared and radio waves have lower photon energies, thus containing the lowest energy.
4. Application and Biological Effects: Another way to identify waves with the lowest energy is to examine their practical applications and biological effects. For instance, radio waves and microwaves are commonly used for communication and cooking, respectively. These waves are considered safe for human exposure due to their lower energy compared to higher energy waves like X-rays and gamma rays, which pose potential risks.
In summary, by considering factors such as frequency, wavelength, photon energy, and practical applications, one can determine that radio waves, microwaves, and infrared waves contain the lowest energy within the electromagnetic spectrum.