Question

Do IR or UV waves have greater speeds?

1) IR waves have greater speeds
2) UV waves have greater speeds
3) Both IR and UV waves have the same speed
4) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

Infrared and ultraviolet waves, both being electromagnetic radiation, travel at the same speed in a vacuum, which is the speed of light, approximately 3 × 10¸ m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is inquiring about the relative speeds of infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) waves. Both IR and UV waves are types of electromagnetic radiation, and all electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum, which is approximately 3 × 108 meters per second or the speed of light. This includes gamma rays, X-rays, visible light, IR, and UV radiation. The differences in electromagnetic radiation are not due to different speeds but rather due to differences in wavelength and energy. The correct answer to the question is: 3) Both IR and UV waves have the same speed.