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Two kinds of electromagnetic radiation fall on the human body. Which one usually penetrates further into it?
AThe one with lower frequency
BThe one with larger amplitude
CThe one with smaller amplitude
DThe one with higher frequency
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. The one with higher frequency
1. Different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation have different degrees of penetration.
2. Visible light bounces off the surface of the body, while X-rays pass through skin and bone.
3. X-rays have a much higher frequency than visible light.
4. Radiation with higher frequency, and therefore higher energy, has a higher degree of penetration.
5. So the higher frequency radiation goes deeper into the body.
6. Amplitude sets the intensity of the radiation, not how deeply it can penetrate matter.
7. The most penetrating types, such as gamma rays, are also the most dangerous to living tissue.
_Source: Siyavula Physical Sciences Grade 10 (Everything Science, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 11: Electromagnetic radiation_