Question

Compare the strengths of UV light and microwaves (in Hz). Which type of light is more powerful and how do you know?

Answer 1

Answer:

UV light is more powerful as it has greater energy.

Explanation:

The energy propagated by electromagnetic waves ( light ) through vacuum or medium is known as electromagnetic radiation.

The frequency/wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation is known as electromagnetic spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum ranging from gamma ray to radio waves.

Frequency range of UV light = ( 8 x 10¹⁴ to 3 x 10¹⁶ ) Hz

Frequency range of Microwaves = ( 300 x 10⁶ to 300 x 10⁹ ) Hz

Ratio of UV light to Microwaves = ($\frac{8\times10^{14} }{300\times10^{6} }$ to $\frac{3\times10^{16} }{300\times10^{9} }$ )

                                                     = ( 2.66 x 10⁶ to 1 x 10⁸ )

Energy of electromagnetic radiation is given by the relation:

E = hν

Here h is plank's constant and ν is frequency.

UV light is more powerful than Microwaves as frequency of UV light is greater than frequency of microwaves. Thus, by the above equation, the energy of UV light is more than energy of Microwaves.