Astronomers monitoring a distant neutron-star merger record the arrival of several…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Waves Sound and Physical Optics · Waves Sound and Physical Optics
Problem
Astronomers monitoring a distant neutron-star merger record the arrival of several distinct signals over a 0.50-s interval.
• a burst of radio waves centered at 7.5 MHz
• a flash of ultraviolet radiation centered at 150 nm
• a green visible-light pulse centered at 550 nm
• a packet of X-rays with photon energies around 4 keV
• a transient gravitational-wave chirp (distractor)
Ignore the gravitational-wave signal in all subsequent work.
(a) Identify which of the listed signals should be included when comparing electromagnetic radiation. Briefly justify the exclusion of any signal(s).
(b) For the electromagnetic signals you identified, rank them in order of increasing wavelength. Express your answer as a clear ordered list (longest wavelength first or last—state your convention).
(c) Provide a qualitative explanation that supports your ranking, making explicit reference to the relationships among wavelength, frequency, and photon energy.