Questions and Answers
What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
A stream of photons moving in a wavelike pattern, carries energy and spreads out.
What is wave-particle duality?
It refers to the concept that light may behave like a wave or a particle.
What are photons?
Tiny packets of energy.
What is a cycle in terms of waves?
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How is frequency defined?
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What unit measures frequency?
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Wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency.
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What happens to frequency when the wavelength increases?
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Which type of rays have the highest energy?
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Which type of rays have the lowest energy?
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What are electromagnetic waves composed of?
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What produces electric fields?
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What produces magnetic fields?
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Who proposed the idea that a changing electric field produces a magnetic field?
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Who were credited with the development of applications in communication?
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What did the theory of electromagnetism lead to?
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Who discovered radio waves and when?
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How are radio waves usually described?
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What is the wavelength range of radio waves?
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What is the order of increasing energy of the electromagnetic spectrum?
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What does ultraviolet mean?
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Who discovered ultraviolet light?
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What does white light contain?
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What is black in terms of light?
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What specifies the range of visible light?
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What is the wavelength range of near infrared?
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What is the wavelength range of middle infrared?
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What is the wavelength range of far infrared?
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What does infrared radiation mean?
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Who discovered infrared radiation?
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What is radio detection and ranging used for?
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Where do microwaves lie in relation to radio waves and infrared waves?
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What three properties describe the electromagnetic spectrum?
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What produces gamma rays?
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Who coined the term 'gamma ray'?
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Who discovered gamma rays in 1900?
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Why was x-ray named as such?
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Who accidentally discovered x-rays?
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Study Notes
Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Represents a stream of photons moving in a wavelike pattern, carrying energy.
- Characterized by various wave types, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
Wave-Particle Duality
- Refers to the concept that particles like photons can exhibit properties of both waves and particles.
Photons
- Fundamental particles that carry electromagnetic radiation, consisting of tiny packets of energy.
Wave Cycle
- The complete pattern of a wave before it repeats is known as a cycle.
Frequency
- Defined as the number of cycles a wave repeats in one second, measured in hertz (Hz).
Wavelength
- Inversely proportional to frequency; as wavelength increases, frequency decreases.
Energy Levels of Waves
- Gamma rays possess the highest energy and are considered the most dangerous.
- Radio waves have the lowest energy and are the least hazardous.
Electromagnetic Waves
- Composed of transverse waves made up of electric and magnetic fields.
- Electric fields are created by charged particles, while magnetic fields stem from moving electric charges.
Key Figures in Electromagnetism
- James Clerk Maxwell established the theory of electromagnetism, leading to the formulation of Maxwell's equations.
- Heinrich Hertz discovered radio waves in 1886.
- Nikola Tesla and Guglielmo Marconi contributed significantly to developments in communication technology.
Types of Electromagnetic Radiation
- Radio waves: Longest wavelength (1 mm to 100 km) and described by either wavelength or frequency.
- Microwaves: Shorter wavelengths than radio waves, lying between radio and infrared waves.
- Infrared radiation: Wavelengths from 0.78 to about 1000 micrometers, categorized as near, middle, and far infrared.
Visible Light
- A narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum detected by the human eye, representing a combination of all colors.
- Black is the complete absence of light.
Ultraviolet Radiation
- Discovered by Johann William Ritter, it consists of three types:
- UV-A rays: Contribute to skin aging and wrinkling.
- UV-B rays: More harmful, associated with skin cancer and sunburn.
- UV-C rays: The most hazardous form of ultraviolet radiation.
Discovery Timeline
- Infrared radiation was discovered by Sir Frederick William Herschel in 1800.
- X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen during studies on cathode rays.
Applications of Electromagnetic Waves
- Radio detection and ranging (RADAR) utilizes microwaves to ascertain distances of various objects.
- The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses the relationship between energy, wavelength, and frequency.
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Test your knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum and wave-particle duality with these flashcards. Each card provides key definitions to help you understand the fundamental concepts of physics. Perfect for beginners and students looking to reinforce their learning.
