Question

which of the following statements about x - rays and radio waves is not true?
a x - rays have shorter wavelengths than radio waves
b x - rays have higher energy than radio waves
c x - rays have a higher frequency than radio waves
d x - rays travel faster through space than radio waves

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the properties of electromagnetic waves

All electromagnetic waves (including x - rays and radio waves) travel at the speed of light \(c = 3\times10^{8}\space m/s\) in a vacuum.

Step2: Analyze the relationship between wavelength (\(\lambda\)), frequency (\(f\)) and energy (\(E\))

The relationship between wavelength and frequency is \(c=\lambda f\) (where \(c\) is the speed of light). Since \(c\) is constant, a shorter wavelength (\(\lambda\)) implies a higher frequency (\(f\)). The energy of a photon is given by \(E = hf\) (where \(h\) is Planck's constant). A higher frequency (\(f\)) implies higher energy (\(E\)). X - rays have shorter wavelengths than radio waves. So, from \(c=\lambda f\), x - rays have higher frequencies than radio waves. And from \(E = hf\), x - rays have higher energy than radio waves. But both x - rays and radio waves travel at the same speed (\(c = 3\times 10^{8}\space m/s\)) in space.

Answer:

D. x - rays travel faster through space than radio waves