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Ch.6 - Electronic Structure of Atoms
Chapter 6, Problem 16

Determine which of the following statements are false and correct them. Determine which of the following statements are false and correct them. (a) The frequency of radiation increases as the wavelength increases. (b) Electromagnetic radiation travels through a vacuum at a constant speed, regardless of wavelength. (c) Infrared light has higher frequencies than visible light. (d) The glow from a fireplace, the energy within a microwave oven, and a foghorn blast are all forms of electromagnetic radiation.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Relationship Between Wavelength and Frequency

The frequency of electromagnetic radiation is inversely related to its wavelength, as described by the equation c = λν, where c is the speed of light, λ is the wavelength, and ν is the frequency. This means that as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases. Therefore, the statement that the frequency increases as the wavelength increases is false.
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Speed of Electromagnetic Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation travels through a vacuum at a constant speed of approximately 3.00 x 10^8 meters per second, regardless of its wavelength or frequency. This principle is fundamental to understanding how different types of electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves and gamma rays, propagate through space. Thus, the statement about the speed being dependent on wavelength is incorrect.
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Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of electromagnetic radiation, arranged by frequency and wavelength. Infrared light has lower frequencies than visible light, which means it occupies a different region of the spectrum. Therefore, the assertion that infrared light has higher frequencies than visible light is false, as visible light has higher frequencies than infrared.
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