Final answer:
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of electromagnetic waves ordered by increasing frequency, encompassing various types of radiation from radio waves to gamma rays.
Step-by-step explanation:
The range of electromagnetic waves when they are placed in order of increasing frequency is known as the electromagnetic spectrum. This spectrum includes various types of radiation such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays. These categories are characterized by their wavelengths and frequencies, with gamma rays having the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency, and radio waves having the longest wavelength and the lowest frequency.
The correct ordering from least to greatest wavelength is radio waves (including ELF, FM radio), microwaves, infrared, visible light (red through violet), ultraviolet, x-rays, and gamma rays. As the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation increases, its frequency decreases and its energy also decreases.
When white light is passed through a prism, it is split into different wavelengths, forming a spectrum with colors that correspond to the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from about 400 to 700 nm.