Question:easy

Among the following, the electromagnetic wave of minimum frequency is:

Show Hint

Order the spectrum by frequency; the wave with the longest wavelength (using \( \nu = c/\lambda \)) has the least frequency.
Updated On: Jul 10, 2026
  • ultraviolet rays
  • X-rays
  • \( \gamma \)-rays
  • microwaves
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Use the relation between frequency and wavelength.
All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed \(c\) in vacuum, and \(c = \nu\lambda\), so frequency \(\nu = c/\lambda\). This means the wave with the largest wavelength has the smallest frequency.

Step 2: Compare typical wavelengths of the options.
Microwaves have wavelengths of the order of millimetres to centimetres; ultraviolet rays are around \(10^{-8}\) m; X-rays around \(10^{-10}\) m; and \(\gamma\)-rays even shorter, around \(10^{-12}\) m or less.

Step 3: Identify the longest wavelength.
Clearly the microwaves have by far the longest wavelength among these four.

Step 4: Conclude.
Since \(\nu = c/\lambda\), the longest-wavelength wave has the lowest frequency, so microwaves are the electromagnetic wave of minimum frequency.

\[\boxed{\text{Microwaves}}\]
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