Wave Y and wave Z are two types of electromagnetic waves traveling through a vacuum. Suppose the frequency of wave Y is about three times greater than the frequency of wave Z.

Question

Which best compares the energy transferred by the two waves?

It is the same for each wave because the amount of energy transferred is constant in all types of electromagnetic waves.
Wave Y transfers about one-third the amount of energy as wave Z because energy and frequency have an inverse relationship.
Wave Y transfers about three times the amount of energy as wave Z because energy and frequency have a direct relationship.
It is zero for each wave because when waves travel through a vacuum, they do not transfer energy.

Answer 1

The correct comparison is:

Wave Y transfers about three times the amount of energy as wave Z because energy and frequency have a direct relationship.

In electromagnetic waves, the energy of a wave is directly proportional to its frequency. The equation that describes this relationship is:

$$E=h\cdot f$$

where $E$ is the energy, $h$ is Planck's constant, and $f$ is the frequency of the wave. Since wave Y has a frequency that is three times greater than wave Z, it will transfer approximately three times more energy.