Certified Fiber Optics Practice Exam

Light is considered electromagnetic energy with what characteristics compared to radio waves?

1. Longer wavelength, lower frequency

2. Shorter wavelength, higher frequency

3. Equal wavelength, equal frequency

4. Shorter wavelength, lower frequency

The correct answer is: Shorter wavelength, higher frequency

The correct answer highlights that light possesses a shorter wavelength and a higher frequency compared to radio waves. This distinction is rooted in the electromagnetic spectrum, which categorizes different types of electromagnetic waves based on their wavelength and frequency. Electromagnetic waves can be arranged from longest to shortest wavelength and lowest to highest frequency. Radio waves occupy the longer wavelength end of the spectrum, meaning they have lower frequencies. As we move towards visible light, the wavelengths become shorter and the frequencies rise accordingly. For instance, visible light wavelengths range from about 400 nanometers (violet) to 700 nanometers (red), while radio waves can exceed hundreds of meters in wavelength. This fundamental difference affects various properties and behaviors of the waves, such as their energy, propagation, and interaction with different materials. Thus, the characteristics of light as having a shorter wavelength and a higher frequency compared to radio waves is a key aspect of understanding electromagnetic radiation and its applications in various technologies.