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Electromagnetic Waves appeared 31 times across 3 years — 3.6% of Physics. This question is from Electromagnetic Spectrum.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 10 12 9 31

Arrange the following in the ascending order of wavelength (λ) : (A) Microwaves (λ₁) (B) Ultraviolet rays (λ₂) (C) Infrared rays (λ₃) (D) X-rays (λ₄) Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

Solution & Explanation

Core Logic

The order of components in the electromagnetic spectrum in increasing order of wavelength (λ) is:

γ-rays < X-rays < U.V. rays < Visible rays < IR rays < Microwaves < Radio waves

Given components:

  • Microwaves: λ₁
  • Ultraviolet rays: λ₂
  • Infrared rays: λ₃
  • X-rays: λ₄
  • Comparing these yields:

λ₄ < λ₂ < λ₃ < λ₁
Pattern Recognition

Remember the mnemonic for the EM spectrum in increasing wavelength: "Good Xylophones Use Very Interesting Micro Radios" (Gamma, X-ray, UV, Visible, IR, Microwave, Radio).

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves

Reference Study Guides

More Electromagnetic Waves Previous-Year Questions — Page 7

Q40 jee_main_2024_31_jan_morning Energy Density Of EM Waves
In a plane EM wave, the electric field oscillates sinusoidally at a frequency of 5 × 10¹⁰ ~Hz and an amplitude of 50 ~Vm⁻¹. The total average energy density of the electromagnetic field of the wave is : [Use ε₀ = 8.85 × 10⁻¹² C² / Nm² ]
  • A. 1.106 × 10⁻⁸ Jm⁻³
  • B. 4.425 × 10⁻⁸ ~Jm⁻³
  • C. 2.212 × 10⁻⁸ ~Jm⁻³
  • D. 2.212 × 10⁻¹⁰ ~Jm⁻³

Solution

Related Formula
Utotal average = (1)/(2)ε₀ E₀²
Core Logic

For an electromagnetic wave, the total average energy density is the sum of the average energy density of the electric field and the magnetic field. They are equal, so:

Uavg = UE + UB = 2UE = 2 ( (1)/(4)ε₀ E₀² ) = (1)/(2)ε₀ E₀²

Where E₀ is the amplitude of the electric field.

Step 2: Substitution

Given: E₀ = 50 V/m ε₀ = 8.85 × 10⁻¹² C²/(N· m²)

Uavg = (1)/(2) × (8.85 × 10⁻¹²) × (50)² Uavg = (1)/(2) × 8.85 × 10⁻¹² × 2500 Uavg = 1.10625 × 10⁻⁸ J/m³
Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electromagnetic Waves

More Electromagnetic Waves Questions — jee_main_2025_24_jan_evening

Practice all Electromagnetic Waves previous-year questions →

Rankbit System
JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%) | JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%)