A student documents the energy and wavelength of various electromagnetic waves in the presented table. (The term "eV" denotes electron volts, a unit of energy.)

Question

Electromagnetic wave Wavelength Energy in eV
? 0.000000000001 1,000,000
X-ray 0.00000001 1000
ultraviolet 0.0000006 10

For the question mark, which electromagnetic wave should the student insert?

(1 point)
Responses

Microwave
Microwave

Infrared Wave
Infrared Wave

Radio
Radio

Gamma Ray

Answer 1

To determine which electromagnetic wave corresponds to the wavelength \(0.000000000001\) meters (or \(1 \times 10^{-12}\) meters), we can analyze the position of this wavelength within the electromagnetic spectrum.

1. Gamma Rays typically have wavelengths less than about \(0.01\) nm (\(1 \times 10^{-11}\) m), and the example given here, \(0.000000000001\) m or \(1 \times 10^{-12}\) m corresponds well within this range.
2. X-rays generally range from about \(0.01\) nm to \(10\) nm.
3. Ultraviolet light has wavelengths ranging from about \(10\) nm to \(400\) nm.
4. Infrared waves range from approximately \(700\) nm to \(1\) mm.
5. Microwaves typically range from \(1\) mm to \(1\) m.
6. Radio waves have wavelengths greater than \(1\) m.

Since the wavelength of \(0.000000000001\) meters (or \(1 \times 10^{-12}\) m) is significantly smaller than those of X-rays and lies within the gamma ray range, the correct wave to insert for the question mark would be:

Gamma Ray.