Texas Esthetician License Practice Exam

What is a characteristic of short wavelengths?

1. Have high energy

2. Have less energy

3. Are less penetrating

4. Are more visible

The correct answer is: Have less energy

The correct answer is that short wavelengths have high energy. This characteristic is fundamental in the study of electromagnetic radiation. Short wavelengths correspond to higher frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum, which means they carry more energy. For example, gamma rays and X-rays have extremely short wavelengths and are known for their high energy levels, which allows them to penetrate materials more effectively compared to longer wavelengths. In contrast, less energetic wavelengths are associated with longer wavelengths, such as radio waves. These longer wavelengths do not have enough energy to cause significant interactions with matter the way shorter wavelengths do. Similarly, the idea that short wavelengths are less penetrating is incorrect; short wavelengths generally have greater penetration ability due to their higher energy. Additionally, being more visible relates more to the wavelength range associated with visible light, which is longer than the very short wavelengths mentioned in this context, further distinguishing the characteristics of different parts of the spectrum.