Which colour has the longest wavelength in visible light?
AViolet
BGreen
CYellow
DRedCORRECT
AI
Toasta AI Explanation
Why the answer is D, and why the others tempt you.
**The reasoning**
In visible light, wavelength determines colour. The electromagnetic spectrum follows a pattern: **wavelength increases as you move from violet to red**. Think of it like this — violet light has wavelengths around 380-450 nm (nanometers), while red sits at 620-750 nm. Red has nearly double the wavelength of violet!
Here's the order from shortest to longest wavelength:
**Violet → Blue → Green → Yellow → Orange → Red**
Remember the acronym **ROYGBIV** (rainbow colours), but flip it backwards for wavelength: **Red has the longest, Violet has the shortest**.
**Why the wrong options tempt you**
- **Violet** is the most energetic visible light, so students confuse "high energy" with "long wavelength" — but they're actually *inversely* related.
- **Green and Yellow** sit in the middle of the spectrum, so they feel like safe, middle-ground answers when you're unsure.
**Quick takeaway**
In visible light, **red light travels in the longest waves, violet in the shortest** — remember: energy and wavelength move in opposite directions.
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