Final answer:
Gamma rays have the highest energy among the provided options, thus making them the correct answer (a). They possess more energy due to their high frequency and short wavelength compared to X-rays, ultraviolet, and infrared rays.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which type of electromagnetic radiation has the highest energy from the given options, which are gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet rays, and infrared rays. According to the electromagnetic spectrum, energy increases with increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength. In order of increasing energy, these types of radiation are arranged as infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays, and then gamma rays, with gamma rays being the highest in energy among the given options.
Therefore, option (a) Gamma rays is the correct answer as they have the highest energy. Notably, Compton scattering, a phenomenon that confirms the particle nature of electromagnetic radiation, predominantly used X-rays since they also have high energy but less than gamma rays as indicated in the question prompts. Moreover, gamma rays are recognized for their ability to penetrate matter because they carry with them more energy per photon compared to other types of electromagnetic radiation like visible light, ultraviolet, or infrared.