Arrange the following electromagnetic waves in increasing order of their frequency.
A. Television and FM radio waves
B. X-rays
C. Long radio waves
D. Microwaves
E. Infrared waves
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → C A D E B
The electromagnetic spectrum runs from radio waves, through microwaves, infrared, visible and ultraviolet light, to X-rays and gamma rays, with the frequency increasing (and the wavelength decreasing) in this order. The frequencies of the five items are of the following orders:
C. Long radio waves: up to about \( 10^{6}\,\mathrm{Hz} \)
A. Television and FM radio waves: about \( 10^{7} \) to \( 10^{9}\,\mathrm{Hz} \)
D. Microwaves: about \( 10^{9} \) to \( 10^{11}\,\mathrm{Hz} \)
E. Infrared waves: about \( 10^{12} \) to \( 10^{14}\,\mathrm{Hz} \)
B. X-rays: about \( 10^{16} \) to \( 10^{19}\,\mathrm{Hz} \)
The increasing order of frequency is C, A, D, E, B.
NCERT (2026-27):
Electromagnetic Spectrum – “… We briefly describe these different types of electromagnetic waves, in order of decreasing wavelengths.”
Radio Waves – “… The AM (amplitude modulated) band is from 530 kHz to 1710 kHz. … TV waves range from 54 MHz to 890 MHz. The FM (frequency modulated) radio band extends from 88 MHz to 108 MHz.”
Microwaves – “Microwaves (short-wavelength radio waves), with frequencies in the gigahertz (GHz) range, are produced by special vacuum tubes (called klystrons, magnetrons and Gunn diodes).”
Infrared Waves – “… This band lies adjacent to the low-frequency or long-wave length end of the visible spectrum.”
X-Rays – “Beyond the UV region of the electromagnetic spectrum lies the X-ray region.”