Answers:
a)
b)
c) X rays have the energy to disrupt organic compounds by breaking carbon–carbon single bonds, but AM radio waves not.
Explanation:
The energy of a photon in Joules is given by the following formula:
(1)
However, if we want to know this energy in units of , we have to use the following formula:
(2)
<h2>
a) Now, in the case of X rays:</h2>
(3)
Where:
is the energy of X rays in Joules ()
is the Planck constant
is the speed of light
is the wavelength of X rays
is the Avogadro's number
(4)
(5) This is the energy of X rays in units of kilojoules per mole
<h2>
b) For AM radio waves:</h2>
(6)
Where:
is the energy of AM radio waves in Joules ()
is the wavelength of AM wavelength
(7)
(8) This is the energy of AM radio waves in units of kilojoules per mole
<h2>c) Which is able to disrupt
carbon–carbon single bonds?</h2>
If we compare the energy of both (X rays and AM radio waves) with the energy of a carbon–carbon single bond (), we will have the following:
This means the energy of X rays is greater than the energy of AM radio waves and greater than the energy of carbon–carbon single bond as well:
In addition, this means X rays have the energy to disrupt organic compounds by breaking carbon–carbon single bonds, but AM radio waves not.