Incandescent light bulbs produce visible light of all wavelengths. The mix of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (ROYGBIV) give the light its characteristic white appearance. For the MCAT, it is important to know the relative wavelengths of light for the visible spectrum (390 – 700nm) and where visiable wavelengths fit into the overall spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. From longest wavelength to shortest, the sequence of wavelengths is listed below.

Radio > Microwaves > Infrared > Visible > Ultraviolet > X-Rays > Gamma Rays

The highest energy of any visible light belongs to violet. The greater the wavelength, the lower the energy of the light. The greater the frequency, the higher the energy of the light. This is why ultraviolet light ("ultra" meaning "beyond" violet) is so damaging to DNA. Out of the answer choices, blue light has the lowest wavelength and greatest frequency, making it the highest energy.

The energy of a wave increases with increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength. Considering these different waves, radiowaves possess the longest wavelengths and gamma rays the shortest wavelength, thus gamma rays carry the greatest amount of energy.

Choice 5 is correct.  Highly energetic frequencies such as X-rays and gamma rays can displace electrons from materials upon which they impinge.  Microwaves are a form of radio waves, which are long-wavelength, low frequency waves with little energy. 

Mnemonic:  Microwave ovens are fundamentally safe household items.

As Einstein determined, light has properties of both a particle and a wave. In the particle sense, it has mass, velocity, and momentum. The wave property of light allows for diffraction, and constructive and destructive interference. For the MCAT, it is important to know that the photon (the particle of light) has both particle and wave properties. In fact, all objects have both particle and wave properties; however, their wave property becomes less obvious with increasing mass.

This question is asking us to determine the wavelength of a sound wave at a specific temperature. From the equation presented to us in the paragraph above, we can calculate the wave velocity.

Now, we can use this velocity to calculate the wavelength.

We can use the equation  together with . If T is constant, v cannot change assuming the mass density, m/L, is constant. Thus,  must be constant; if f increases,  must decrease.

The wavelength of a sound can be found by utilizing the equation, . where v is the velocity of sound,  is the wavelength, and f is the frequency. You should know that sound normally travels with a speed of 340m/s, unless otherwise stated. With the information given we can find the wavelength of the traveling sound to be 0.11m.

Right away you can rule out the answers with units in seconds, as the unit of frequency is an inverse second, or Hz. Frequency is measured in cycles per second. If eight crests pass a given point in fifteen seconds, the frequency is given by the number of crests divided by the time period.

First calculate the frequency of the wave (cycles/sec). The problem tells us that there are ten cycles in 1.6s.

Next find the period by taking the inverse of the frequency.

Finally, find the wavelength by dividing the velocity by the frequency.