AVIXA Recognized AV Technologist Test

What type of wave has the highest frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum?

1. Ultraviolet

2. Infrared

3. Microwaves

4. Radio frequencies

The correct answer is: Ultraviolet

Ultraviolet waves have the highest frequency among the options provided. In the electromagnetic spectrum, frequency and wavelength are inversely related, meaning that as frequency increases, wavelength decreases. Ultraviolet light, which falls just beyond the visible spectrum, has shorter wavelengths than visible light, thereby resulting in higher frequencies. In contrast, infrared waves have longer wavelengths and thus lower frequencies than ultraviolet waves. Microwaves, which are commonly used in cooking and communication technologies, also possess longer wavelengths compared to ultraviolet light, further confirming that their frequency is lower. Radio frequencies exhibit even longer wavelengths, placing them at the low end of the frequency spectrum. Understanding the hierarchy of wave types based on their frequencies is crucial in fields like telecommunications, medical imaging, and various applications of physics and engineering.