Questions and Answers
Mechanical waves carry energy through __________.
matter
A wave carries __________ from one place to another.
energy
Which side of the electromagnetic spectrum has shorter wavelengths?
Which are uses of electromagnetic waves? (Select all that apply)
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What is the difference between a mechanical wave and an electromagnetic wave?
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Which electromagnetic waves have the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency? __________ waves.
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What are three ways in which people use microwaves?
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Compared to visible light, the wavelength of X-rays is __________ and the frequency is __________.
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Which are characteristics of electromagnetic waves? (Select all that apply)
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Light acts like a _______ when it bounces off surfaces, and acts like a ________ when it bends around objects.
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Which are characteristics of electromagnetic waves? (Select all that apply)
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The color of an opaque object is determined by the colors of light that it __________.
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Which are characteristics of the speed of light? (Select all that apply)
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What theory was Huygens writing about?
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Rank the colors from the color that will refract the least to the color that will refract the most.
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Describe how electromagnetic waves are formed and travel through space.
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Which are characteristics of concave mirrors? (Select all that apply)
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Study Notes
Mechanical and Electromagnetic Waves
- Mechanical waves require matter for energy transport, while electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space.
- A wave's fundamental purpose is to carry energy from one location to another.
- Electromagnetic waves include various types with distinct properties, such as microwaves, gamma rays, and X-rays.
Properties of Electromagnetic Waves
- Shorter wavelengths correlate with higher energy and frequencies; blue light exemplifies this principle on the electromagnetic spectrum.
- Electromagnetic waves possess characteristics such as traveling in straight lines, bouncing off surfaces, and moving at the speed of light (approximately 3.0 x 10^8 m/s).
- All electromagnetic waves can traverse space without the need for matter, unlike mechanical waves.
Applications of Electromagnetic Waves
- Common uses include cooking with microwaves, medical imaging, transmitting radio signals, and general lighting.
- Microwaves specifically are utilized for data, TV, and telephone signal transmission, as well as in cooking appliances and radar technology.
Light's Behavior
- Light demonstrates dual behavior: it acts as a particle when reflecting off surfaces and behaves as a wave when bending around objects (refraction).
- The hue of an opaque object results from the specific colors of light it reflects.
Speed and Refraction of Light
- The speed of light changes when it enters different media; higher frequency light slows down more than lower frequency light.
- Colors have varying refractive indices; red refracts the least, while violet refracts the most.
The Wave Theory of Light
- Christiaan Huygens contributed to the understanding of light via his wave theory, describing light as spreading through spherical waves.
Characteristics of Mirrors
- Concave mirrors curve inward, creating real images that can appear upside-down or virtual, depending on the object's placement relative to the mirror.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of light and stars with this set of flashcards. Learn about mechanical waves, energy transfer, and the characteristics of the electromagnetic spectrum. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of physics topics related to light.
