Electromagnetic Spectrum Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is an electromagnetic wave?

An electromagnetic wave is a wave that can travel through space (a vacuum) or through matter (a medium).

When traveling through a medium, EM waves are classified as longitudinal waves.

False (B)

What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

High frequency waves have short wavelengths, and low frequency waves have long wavelengths.

How do electromagnetic waves differ?

EM waves differ in frequency, wavelength, and energy level. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between wave frequency and energy?

The higher the frequency, the higher the energy; the lower the frequency, the lower the energy. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the 7 main kinds of electromagnetic waves in order from lowest frequency to highest frequency.

<ol> <li>Radio waves, 2. Microwaves, 3. Infrared waves, 4. Light, 5. Ultraviolet waves (rays), 6. X-rays, 7. Gamma rays.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Identify the speed at which ALL electromagnetic waves travel through a vacuum.

All EM waves travel at 300 million meters/second in a vacuum. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the characteristics of gamma waves. Include how they are helpful & harmful.

Gamma waves have the highest frequency and shortest wavelength, carrying the greatest amount of energy. They are helpful in killing cancer cells but can also alter or kill healthy body cells. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the characteristics of x-rays. Include how they can be helpful & harmful.

X-rays have a lower frequency than gamma rays but higher than ultraviolet waves. They are helpful for seeing inside bodies or objects but can damage healthy cells. Signup and view all the answers

How are ultraviolet rays helpful?

Ultraviolet waves can sterilize equipment and stimulate skin cells to produce Vitamin D. Signup and view all the answers

How are ultraviolet waves dangerous?

UV rays can cause sunburn, premature aging, increase skin cancer risk, weaken the immune system, and harm our eyes. Signup and view all the answers

What protection do we have against UV rays from the sun?

The ozone shield in the stratosphere blocks some UV light, and applying sunscreen can also help. Signup and view all the answers

Which EM wave has the lowest frequency and longest wavelength?

Radio waves Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the EM spectrum can be seen with our eyes?

Visible light Signup and view all the answers

Identify the colors of visible light.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Signup and view all the answers

Which color of visible light has the highest frequency? Which has the lowest frequency?

Highest frequency - violet; Lowest frequency - red. Signup and view all the answers

Which color of visible light has the highest energy? Which has the lowest energy?

Violet has the highest energy; red has the lowest energy. Signup and view all the answers

What type of EM wave is given off by all objects?

All objects give off varying amounts of infrared radiation (which is detected as heat). Signup and view all the answers

How are radio waves used?

Radio waves are used in television and radio broadcasting. Signup and view all the answers

Which EM wave has a frequency just higher than radio waves? How are these waves used?

Microwaves are high frequency radio waves used to cook food and in RADAR technology. Signup and view all the answers

A green object appears green because it absorbs all colors of light except __.

green Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum or a medium.
All electromagnetic waves are transverse, not longitudinal.
Wavelength and frequency are inversely related: high frequency corresponds to short wavelength, while low frequency corresponds to long wavelength.

Characteristics of Electromagnetic Waves

Variations in frequency, wavelength, and energy distinguish electromagnetic waves.
High frequency waves possess short wavelengths and high energy; low frequency waves feature long wavelengths and low energy.
Higher frequency waves indicate increased energy levels, resulting in greater potential danger.

Types of Electromagnetic Waves

The electromagnetic spectrum consists of seven types of waves, ordered from lowest to highest frequency:
- Radio waves
- Microwaves
- Infrared waves
- Visible light
- Ultraviolet rays
- X-rays
- Gamma rays

Speed of Electromagnetic Waves

All electromagnetic waves travel at a speed of 300 million meters per second in a vacuum.

Gamma Rays

Gamma rays have the highest frequency and shortest wavelength, carrying maximum energy.
They originate from radioactive elements and nuclear reactions.
Helpful for killing cancer cells but harmful as they can damage or kill healthy cells.

X-Rays

X-rays fall between gamma rays and ultraviolet waves in terms of frequency.
They are beneficial for medical imaging but can harm healthy tissues.

Ultraviolet Rays

UV rays can sterilize equipment and stimulate vitamin D production, aiding calcium absorption.
Excessive exposure can lead to sunburn, skin aging, increased cancer risk, immune system weakening, and eye damage.

Protection Against UV Rays

The ozone layer in the stratosphere helps block some UV light.
Sunscreen effectively protects skin from harmful UV exposure.

Visible Light Spectrum

Radio waves have the lowest frequency and longest wavelength within the spectrum.
Visible light is a narrow section of the electromagnetic spectrum detectable by human eyes.
Colors of visible light include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
Violet exhibits the highest frequency and energy, while red has the lowest.

Infrared Radiation

All objects emit infrared radiation, recognized as heat.

Applications of Radio Waves and Microwaves

Radio waves are essential for television and radio broadcasting.
Microwaves are utilized for cooking and RADAR technology.

Color Perception

An object appears green by absorbing all colors of light except green.

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