Electromagnetic Spectrum and Wave Properties Quiz

Study Notes

Relationship between Wavelength and Frequency

Wavelength (λ) and frequency (f) of an electromagnetic wave are inversely related; as wavelength increases, frequency decreases and vice versa.
This relationship is described by the formula: speed of light (c) = wavelength (λ) × frequency (f).

Types of Electromagnetic Waves

Radio waves have the longest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum, often measured in kilometers.
Gamma rays possess the highest energy and correspond to the shortest wavelength and highest frequency.

Frequency Units

The unit of frequency for electromagnetic waves is Hertz (Hz), representing the number of cycles per second.

Energy and Frequency Relationship

Energy (E) of an electromagnetic wave is directly proportional to its frequency, expressed by the equation: E = h × f, where h is Planck's constant (approximately 6.626 × 10^-34 Js).

Speed of Electromagnetic Waves

All electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (or about 300,000 km/s).

Frequency Description

Frequency describes how many waves pass a point in one second. Higher frequencies indicate more waves in the same amount of time.

Wavelength Definition

Wavelength is the distance between successive peaks (or troughs) of a wave, indicating the spatial period of the wave.

Electromagnetic Spectrum Arrangement

Electromagnetic waves are arranged in the electromagnetic spectrum by increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength. The spectrum includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Description

Test your knowledge on the speed, wavelength, frequency, and energy of electromagnetic waves and their arrangement in the electromagnetic spectrum. Explore the characteristics of radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.