Question

Determine which of the following statements are false and correct them. (a) The frequency of radiation increases as the wavelength increases. (b) Electromagnetic radiation travels through a vacuum at a constant speed, regardless of wavelength. (c) Infrared light has higher frequencies than visible light. (d) The glow from a fireplace, the energy within a microwave oven, and a foghorn blast are all forms of electromagnetic radiation.

Short answer

Statement a is false. Correct statement: "The frequency of radiation decreases as the wavelength increases." Statement b is true. Statement c is false. Correct statement: "Infrared light has lower frequencies than visible light." Statement d is partially false. Correct statement: "The glow from a fireplace and the energy within a microwave oven are forms of electromagnetic radiation, while a foghorn blast is a mechanical wave."

Step-by-step solution

Statement a: The frequency of radiation increases as the wavelength increases.

This statement is false. The relationship between frequency and wavelength is inversely proportional. As the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa. The correct statement should be: "The frequency of radiation decreases as the wavelength increases."

Statement b: Electromagnetic radiation travels through a vacuum at a constant speed, regardless of wavelength.

This statement is true. Electromagnetic waves, including light, travel at a constant speed in a vacuum. This speed of light is approximately \(3.00 \times 10^8 \, m/s\).

Statement c: Infrared light has higher frequencies than visible light.

This statement is false. Infrared light has lower frequencies than visible light. The electromagnetic spectrum goes from lower frequencies (radio waves) to higher frequencies (gamma rays). Infrared light lies between radio waves and visible light, meaning it has lower frequencies than visible light. The correct statement should be: "Infrared light has lower frequencies than visible light."

Statement d: The glow from a fireplace, the energy within a microwave oven, and a foghorn blast are all forms of electromagnetic radiation.

This statement is partially false. While the glow from a fireplace (infrared radiation) and the energy within a microwave oven (microwave radiation) are electromagnetic radiation, a foghorn blast is a sound wave, which is a mechanical wave, not electromagnetic radiation. The correct statement should be: "The glow from a fireplace and the energy within a microwave oven are forms of electromagnetic radiation, while a foghorn blast is a mechanical wave."