Energy of photons is directly proportional to their frequency. This means the greater the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation, the greater the energy of the photons.
Let's examine the frequency ranges given for each type of electromagnetic radiation:
1. Microwaves: [tex]\(3 \times 10^9\)[/tex] Hz to [tex]\(3 \times 10^{11}\)[/tex] Hz
2. Infrared: [tex]\(3 \times 10^{11}\)[/tex] Hz to [tex]\(4 \times 10^{14}\)[/tex] Hz
3. Visible: [tex]\(4 \times 10^{14}\)[/tex] Hz to [tex]\(7.5 \times 10^{14}\)[/tex] Hz
4. Gamma rays: [tex]\(>3 \times 10^{19}\)[/tex] Hz
To determine the order of photons' energy from lowest to highest:
1. Microwaves are the lowest in frequency range ([tex]\(3 \times 10^9\)[/tex] to [tex]\(3 \times 10^{11}\)[/tex]). Therefore, they have the lowest energy.
2. Infrared comes next with a frequency range of [tex]\(3 \times 10^{11}\)[/tex] to [tex]\(4 \times 10^{14}\)[/tex].
3. Visible light follows with a frequency range of [tex]\(4 \times 10^{14}\)[/tex] to [tex]\(7.5 \times 10^{14}\)[/tex].
4. Gamma rays have the highest frequency (greater than [tex]\(3 \times 10^{19}\)[/tex]) and thus the highest energy.
Thus, the order of increasing energy of photons is:
microwaves, infrared, visible, gamma rays
The correct option is:
microwaves, infrared, visible, gamma rays
