Final answer:
Ultraviolet radiation (UV), with wavelengths ranging from 10 to 400 nanometers, is used in black lights and tanning beds and has a shorter wavelength than visible light.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of electromagnetic wave used in black lights and tanning beds, which has a shorter wavelength than visible light, is ultraviolet radiation (UV). This form of electromagnetic radiation has wavelengths ranging from 10 to 400 nanometers, which is shorter than the shortest visible wavelengths. Ultraviolet light is more energetic than visible light and is capable of causing chemical reactions, which is why it is used in these applications. The electromagnetic spectrum consists of various types of electromagnetic radiation, where visible light is just a small part. As the wavelength decreases (and we move from visible light to UV light), the energy of the radiation increases. This relationship is similar to the effort required to produce waves in a heavy rope: longer, wider waves require less energy, while shorter, tighter waves require more energy.