Electromagnetic Radiation Flashcards

Electromagnetic Radiation

• A form of radiation that includes visible light, radio waves, gamma rays, and X-rays, characterized by fluctuating electric and magnetic fields.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Classification of electromagnetic radiation by wavelength, encompassing radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays. Behavior changes with wavelength.

Wavelength

• Defined as the distance between consecutive wave crests, crucial in sound and electromagnetic waves.

Amplitude

• Refers to the maximum extent of a wave's vibration or oscillation from its equilibrium position.

Frequency

• The rate at which a wave pattern occurs or repeats over time.

Velocity

• Indicates the speed of a wave in a specific direction.

Spectrum

• A spectrum represents a range of colors produced by light refraction, visible as a band, similar to a rainbow.

Spectroscope

• An instrument used to generate and analyze spectra for detailed examination.

Photon

• A particle that represents a quantum of electromagnetic radiation, carrying energy proportional to its frequency while having no rest mass.

Ground State and Excited State

• Terms defining the least excited state of electrons (ground state) versus higher energy states (excited state).

Continuous Spectrum

• Contains all wavelengths between its starting and ending points, showing no gaps.

Discontinuous Spectrum

• Features gaps or breaks in wavelength, also known as the emission spectrum.

Types of Electromagnetic Radiation

• Includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Visible Spectrum Colors

• Colors arranged by decreasing wavelength: Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red.

Order of Increasing Energy

• Progression from shortwave radiation signals, infrared radiation, green light, to ultraviolet and dental x-rays.

Units of Frequency

• Measured in cycles per second, Hertz (Hz), or revolutions per minute (RPM).

Units of Wavelength

• Typically expressed in meters, centimeters, or nanometers.

Key Formulas

• Relationship between wavelength and energy: C = nm (where "C" is the speed of light, "n" is frequency, and "m" is wavelength).
• Frequency-energy relationship: E = hv (where "E" is energy, "h" is Planck's constant, and "v" is frequency).

Frequency and Wavelength Changes

• As frequency increases, wavelength decreases.
• As you move from radio waves to gamma rays, frequency increases while wavelength decreases.

Energy Dynamics

• When frequency increases, energy also increases.
• In transitions across the visible spectrum from red to violet, frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and energy increases.

Electron Shell Model

• Niels Bohr's model illustrates electrons orbiting the nucleus in specific energy levels, supporting the idea of electrons occupying 'shells'.