Which best explains why high frequency electromagnetic waves are more likely to cause harm to living things
A) as a waves frequency increases, a constant energy is carried by the wave in a given time period
B) as a waves frequency increases, less energy is carried by the wave in a given time period
C) as a waves frequency increases, more energy is carried by the wave in a given time period
D) as a waves frequency increases, the energy carried by the wave In a given time period is equal to zero
they carry more energy. which one states that more energy is being carried?
The best explanation for why high frequency electromagnetic waves are more likely to cause harm to living things is C) as a wave's frequency increases, more energy is carried by the wave in a given time period.
The correct answer is C) as a wave's frequency increases, more energy is carried by the wave in a given time period.
Explanation:
To understand why high frequency electromagnetic waves are more likely to cause harm to living things, we need to consider the concept of energy carried by the wave. The energy of an electromagnetic wave is directly related to its frequency.
As electromagnetic waves propagate through space, they carry energy with them. The energy carried by a wave is proportional to the square of its amplitude, or the height of the wave. Hence, a higher amplitude means more energy.
However, when comparing different waves, we need to consider their frequencies too. Frequency refers to the number of complete cycles of the wave that occur in one second. Hence, it impacts the time period over which the energy is delivered.
Now, let's go back to the options provided:
A) This option states that as the wave's frequency increases, a constant energy is carried by the wave in a given time period. However, this is incorrect because the energy carried by an electromagnetic wave is directly proportional to its frequency.
B) According to this option, as the wave's frequency increases, less energy is carried by the wave in a given time period. This contradicts our understanding that higher frequency waves carry more energy.
C) This option correctly explains that as a wave's frequency increases, more energy is carried by the wave in a given time period. Higher frequency waves have shorter wavelengths, meaning they complete more cycles in a given time, resulting in an increased amount of energy.
D) This option incorrectly states that as a wave's frequency increases, the energy carried by the wave in a given time period is equal to zero. This is not true. As the frequency increases, the wave carries more energy, not less or zero.
In conclusion, option C is the best explanation because it accurately states that as a wave's frequency increases, more energy is carried by the wave in a given time period.
E = h*frequency.
So as frequency increases E must ........