Sources Of Radiation

Question

Among the common categories of electromagnetic radiation, which one possesses the highest frequency and is typically emitted during transitions occurring within atomic nuclei?

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

Each region of the electromagnetic spectrum is associated with characteristic sources and a definite frequency range. Gamma rays occupy the highest-frequency, shortest-wavelength end of the spectrum and are produced in nuclear processes such as radioactive decay and transitions between nuclear energy levels. Their extremely high frequency, above roughly 10^{19}\ 	ext{Hz}, corresponds to very high photon energy. Microwaves are far lower in frequency and are generated by electronic devices like klystrons and magnetrons, not nuclei. Infrared radiation arises mainly from thermal motion of molecules in warm bodies and sits below the visible range. Radio waves have the lowest frequencies of the four and originate from oscillating currents in antennas. Linking each band to its typical source is a standard expectation of the NCERT and JEE syllabus on Electromagnetic Waves. As a consistency check, nuclear transitions involve energies of millions of electron-volts, far larger than atomic or molecular transitions, which is exactly why they emit the highest-frequency gamma radiation rather than any of the lower-energy bands listed.

Sources Of Radiation

Select the correct option:

🔒 Solution Hidden from View

More electromagnetic waves Practice Questions

A plane electromagnetic wave in vacuum has a peak electric field of 30 V/m, and an analyst computes ...

In a plane electromagnetic wave, how do the frequencies of the oscillating electric field and the os...

A television transmitter broadcasts at a frequency of 6.0 × 10⁸ Hz, and a technician must determine ...

Which property of microwaves makes them especially suitable for use in radar systems and in speed de...

Which electromagnetic radiation from sunlight is largely absorbed by the ozone layer, protecting liv...

The electric flux through a certain surface changes at a steady rate of 2.0 × 10⁴ V·m per second, an...

Among the following electromagnetic radiations, which one originates from transitions within atomic ...

Why can electromagnetic waves travel through the vacuum of outer space while sound waves from the Su...

A doctor uses a particular electromagnetic radiation to visualise bone fractures because it penetrat...

A laser delivers an average intensity of 6.0 W/m² onto a screen, and a researcher needs the average ...

Weather satellites detect a form of electromagnetic radiation strongly emitted by warm bodies, often...

A perfectly absorbing solar sail receives light of energy \cup from the Sun over a given interval, ...

About This Question

Solution