Final answer:
The photon with a wavelength of 1.5 micrometers has higher energy compared to the one with a wavelength of 3 micrometers because energy and wavelength have an inverse relationship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between the wavelength of light and its energy can be understood through the equation E = hc/λ, where E is energy, h is Planck's constant, c is the speed of light, and λ is the wavelength. This equation shows an inverse relationship between energy and wavelength: as the wavelength increases, the energy decreases, and vice versa.
Given two photons, one with a wavelength of 1.5 micrometers and the other with a wavelength of 3 micrometers, the photon with the shorter wavelength (1.5 micrometers) has higher energy. Conversely, the photon with the longer wavelength (3 micrometers) has lower energy. Therefore, the correct statement is that the photon with the shorter wavelength has higher energy (option a).