Final answer:
Traffic signals displayed vertically follow the order of red at the top, yellow in the middle, and green at the bottom, ensuring drivers and pedestrians alike understand the universal signaling system for stopping, preparing to stop, and going, respectively. These colors are also distinguished by their wavelengths and frequencies in the context of light waves, with red having the longest wavelength and lowest frequency, and green in the context of its commonality with traffic signals.
Step-by-step explanation:
When traffic signals are displayed vertically, the colors are ordered from top to bottom as red, yellow, and green. This universal color coding system for traffic lights helps ensure drivers from different areas can react appropriately to the signals. The red light, positioned at the top, signals drivers to stop. Following this, the yellow light, placed in the middle, warns drivers that the signal will soon change to red, indicating they should slow down and prepare to stop if safe to do so. Finally, the green light, located at the bottom of the vertical sequence, allows vehicles to go. This sequence also assists in enhancing pedestrian safety, as it standardizes when it is safe for pedestrians to cross the street.
In the context of wavelength and frequency, the colors red, yellow, and blue have the following properties: Red has the longest wavelength and the lowest frequency, yellow is in the middle both in terms of wavelength and frequency, and blue has the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency. Traffic lights do not contain blue; this was simply an examination of colors in light waves for a different context.