Electromagnetic radiation is more common than you think. Radio andTV stations emit radio waves when they broadcast their programs;microwaves cook your food in a microwave oven; dentists use X raysto check your teeth. Even though they have different names anddifferent applications, these types of radiation are really all thesame thing: electromagnetic (EM) waves, that is, energy thattravels in the form of oscillating electric and magnetic fields Consider the following:
radio waves emitted by a weather radar system to detectraindrops and ice crystals in the atmosphere to study weatherpatterns;
microwaves used in communication satellite transmissions;
infrared waves that are perceived as heat when you turn on aburner on an electric stove;
the multicolor light in a rainbow;
the ultraviolet solar radiation that reaches the surface of theearth and causes unprotected skin to burn; and
X rays used in medicine for diagnostic imaging
Which of the following statements correctly describe the variousforms of EM radiation listed above?
A. They have different wavelengths.
B. They have different frequencies.
C. They propagate at different speeds through avacuum depending on their frequency.
D. They propagate at different speeds throughnonvacuum media depending on both their frequency and the materialin which they travel.
E. They require different media to propagate.