Sat27November0445PM 43

Which of the following electromagnetic waves have the shortest wavelength?

(Please select 1 option)

Ultraviolet light Incorrect answer selected

Infrared waves

Visible light

X rays This is the correct answer

Radio waves

Explanation

X rays have a very small wavelength with a range of 0.01-10 nm.

Infrared radiation (IR) has wavelengths between 1 mm and 750 nm. The smallest wavelengths nearest to the visible spectrum are termed "near-infrared" and the largest wavelengths "far-infrared". Infrared absorption spectroscopy is used for volatile agent monitoring. Wavelengths of 3.3 µm are used because all current volatile agents have a strong absorption peak at this wavelength. Volatile anaesthetic agents also absorb at wavelengths of 9 and 12 µm.

Carbon dioxide absorbs infrared light at the far end at 4.3 µm and is used in capnography.

Pulse oximetry works using spectrophotometry. The two wavelengths of light used are visible red light at a wavelength of 660 nm and near infrared light at a wavelength of 910 nm.

Visible light has a wavelength range between 400 nm and 700 nm.

Ultraviolet light (UV) has a wavelength range between 100 nm and 400 nm. Volatile anaesthetic monitoring can utilise UV light absorption techniques.

Radio waves have the largest wavelength at between 100 mm and 10 000 km.

Gamma "rays" have the smallest wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum. They are used commercially to sterilise surgical instruments and anaesthetic equipment. The wavelength range less than 10 pm.

Answer Statistics

1

24%

2

21%

3

5%

4

43%

5

9%

Times answered: 299