Which of the following radiations has the shortest wavelength?

Analyze the question: You are asked which radiation has the shortest wavelength among the options listed.

Concept: The electromagnetic spectrum arranges radiations by wavelength, frequency and energy. Since the speed of light is constant (c = fλ), a higher frequency means a shorter wavelength.

Order from longest to shortest wavelength:

Radio waves → Microwaves → Infrared → Visible light → Ultraviolet → X-rays → Gamma rays

Step-by-step solution:

• Microwaves (C): about 10⁻³ m to 10⁻¹ m, the longest of the options
• Infrared (A): about 10⁻⁶ m to 10⁻³ m
• Visible light (B): about 4 × 10⁻⁷ m to 7 × 10⁻⁷ m
• Ultraviolet (D): about 10⁻⁸ m to 4 × 10⁻⁷ m
• X-rays (E): about 10⁻¹¹ m to 10⁻⁸ m, the shortest of the options

Gamma rays are not among the options, so X-rays have the shortest wavelength here.

Answer: E. X-rays.

Tip: Remember the spectrum with the phrase "Raging Martians Invaded Venus Using X-ray Guns". This stands for Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, X-ray, Gamma. Wavelength gets shorter as you move along the list, while frequency and energy increase.