The Question is from neet-physics electromagnetic-waves , and it was created by the author NAGA SAI

Question

Which of the following electromagnetic radiations has the highest penetrating power?

NAGA SAI · Accepted Answer

## CORE INFORMATION
✓ **Answer**: C
## CONCEPT FRAMEWORK
 **Primary Concept**: Electromagnetic Spectrum and Penetrating Power
 **Related Topics**:  Wavelength, Frequency, Energy of electromagnetic radiation
 **Prerequisites**: Understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and its properties.
## SOLUTION PATHWAY
**Given Information**:
  Electromagnetic radiations: Ultraviolet rays, X-rays, Gamma rays, Infrared rays.
  Objective: Identify the radiation with the highest penetrating power.
**Method & Steps**:
 1. Compare the penetrating power of different electromagnetic radiations.
  Reasoning: Penetrating power is inversely related to the interaction of radiation with matter.  Higher energy radiation interacts less with matter and thus penetrates more effectively.  The energy of electromagnetic radiation is directly proportional to its frequency and inversely proportional to its wavelength.  The order of electromagnetic radiation in increasing frequency (and therefore energy) is: Infrared < Ultraviolet < X-rays < Gamma rays.
  Formula/Rule: $E = hν = \frac{hc}{\lambda}$, where $E$ is energy, $h$ is Planck's constant, $ν$ is frequency, $c$ is the speed of light, and $λ$ is wavelength.
 2. Analyze the relationship between energy and penetrating power.
  Working: Higher energy implies higher penetrating power. Since gamma rays have the highest frequency (and therefore energy) among the given options, they possess the highest penetrating power.
  Key Point:  Gamma rays are highly energetic and can penetrate even thick materials.
 3. Conclude the radiation with the highest penetrating power.
  Result: Gamma rays have the highest penetrating power.
  Verification: This aligns with the general understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum and the properties of gamma rays.
 ## OPTION ANALYSIS
A :x: Ultraviolet rays have lower energy than X-rays and Gamma rays, hence lower penetrating power.
B :x: X-rays have lower energy than Gamma rays, hence lower penetrating power.
C ✓: Gamma rays have the highest energy and thus the highest penetrating power among the given options.
D :x: Infrared rays have the lowest energy among the given options, resulting in the lowest penetrating power.
 ## LEARNING AIDS
 **Common Mistakes**:
  1.Confusing wavelength and frequency:  Remember that energy is directly proportional to frequency and inversely proportional to wavelength.
  2. Assuming all radiations have equal penetrating power:  Penetrating power is directly dependent on the energy of the radiation.
 **Quick Tips**:
  1.Remember the order of the electromagnetic spectrum: Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays (increasing energy and frequency).
  2.Associate high energy with high penetrating power.

NAGA SAI · Answer

Ultraviolet rays

NAGA SAI · Answer

X-rays

NAGA SAI · Answer

The correct Option is "Gamma rays"

NAGA SAI · Answer

Infrared rays

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