Question

Illustrate that the size of details of an object that can be detected with electromagnetic waves is related to their wavelength, by comparing details observable with two different types (for example, radar and visible light or infrared and X-rays).

Short answer

The size of the thing must be greater than the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave to detect it.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Electromagnetic wave

The oscillations between an electric field and a magnetic field produce waves known as electromagnetic waves, or EM waves. In other words, magnetic and electric fields oscillate to form electromagnetic (EM) waves.

Size of details of an object that can be detected with electromagnetic waves

We know that only electromagnetic waves can be recognized if the size of the item is greater than the size of the electromagnetic wave. The wavelength of an electromagnetic wave is the magnitude of the wave in this case.

Infrared photons have a wavelength of around \({\rm{700\;nm}}\) \({\rm{to 1\;mm}}\), which may be detected by objects larger than a few centimeters. However, because the wavelength of X-rays is between 0. \({\rm{0}}{\rm{.nm to 10\;nm}}\), it can be detected by objects larger than a few angstroms.

As a result, an X-ray is employed to determine the distance between crystals.