Which color of light has the shortest wavelength?

• A. red
• B. yellow
• C. blue
• D. violet

Answer: (D)

Violet light has the shortest wavelength among the options provided. The visible spectrum of light ranges from red, which has the longest wavelength, to violet, which has the shortest. Wavelengths of visible light are measured in nanometers, with red light typically around 620-750 nanometers and violet light ranging from about 380-450 nanometers.

The shorter the wavelength, the higher the energy associated with that light. This means that violet light, with its shorter wavelength, carries more energy than red or yellow light, which are at the opposite end of the spectrum. This characteristic is important in various applications, such as understanding how light interacts with matter and the effects of different colors of light in processes like photosynthesis and vision.