What type of energy is emitted by gas that is heated near a black hole?

The correct answer is B, X-ray and ultraviolet energy, as this type of energy is emitted by gas that is heated to extremely high temperatures when it is near a black hole. As matter spirals into a black hole, it forms an accretion disk, where gravitational forces lead to immense compression and friction, causing the gas to heat up substantially. This heating can elevate the temperature of the gas to millions of degrees Kelvin, which is hot enough to emit radiation in the X-ray and ultraviolet parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.

In contrast, the other types of energy listed—radio waves, infrared radiation, and visible light—are emitted at much lower temperatures compared to what gas experiences in the extreme environment around a black hole. Radio waves are generally associated with cooler astronomical objects, while infrared radiation is emitted by cooler bodies like stars and planets. Visible light is emitted by objects at moderate temperatures, such as those typical of stars, but does not reach the intense energies produced near a black hole. Thus, option B is the most accurate representation of the type of energy emitted in that extreme scenario.