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

(a) False. Corrected statement: As the wavelength of radiation increases, the frequency decreases. (b) True. (c) False. Corrected statement: Infrared light has lower frequencies and longer wavelengths than visible light. (d) Partially true. Corrected statement: The glow from a fireplace, the energy within a microwave oven, and a foghorn blast are all forms of waves, but only the first two are forms of electromagnetic radiation.

Step-by-step solution

Statement (a)

The frequency of radiation increases as the wavelength increases. This statement is false because the relationship between frequency and wavelength is inversely proportional. Our corrected statement is: As the wavelength of radiation increases, the frequency decreases.

Statement (b)

Electromagnetic radiation travels through a vacuum at a constant speed, regardless of wavelength. This statement is true. In a vacuum, electromagnetic radiation travels at a constant speed (the speed of light, denoted as c), which is approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s. The relationship between wavelength, frequency, and the speed of light is given by: \(c = \lambda \nu\) Where: \(c\) = speed of light (3 x 10^8 m/s) \(\lambda\) = wavelength \(\nu\) = frequency Since the speed of light is constant, the wavelength and frequency can change, but their product will always be the same.

Statement (c)

Infrared light has higher frequencies than visible light. This statement is false because infrared light has lower frequencies and longer wavelengths than visible light. The corrected statement is: Infrared light has lower frequencies and longer wavelengths 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 true. The glow from a fireplace represents infrared and visible light, which are forms of electromagnetic radiation. The energy within a microwave oven is also a form of electromagnetic radiation. However, a foghorn blast is a sound wave, not electromagnetic radiation. Therefore, the correct statement is: The glow from a fireplace, the energy within a microwave oven, and a foghorn blast are all forms of waves, but only the first two are forms of electromagnetic radiation.