Electromagnetic Waves

• What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

  The range of electromagnetic waves
• What type of waves are electromagnetic waves?

  Transverse waves
• How do electromagnetic waves oscillate?

  Perpendicular to energy transfer direction
• What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?

  $3 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}$
• What happens to electromagnetic waves when they travel through different mediums?

  They travel at different speeds
• What is refraction in the context of electromagnetic waves?

  Change in direction of waves
• What are the seven basic types of electromagnetic waves?

  • Radio waves
  • Microwaves
  • Infrared
  • Visible light
  • Ultraviolet
  • X-rays
  • Gamma rays
• What differentiates the types of electromagnetic waves?

  Their wavelength and frequency
• How are wavelength and frequency related?

  They are inversely related
• Which electromagnetic wave has the largest wavelength?

  Radio waves
• Which electromagnetic wave has the smallest wavelength?

  Gamma rays
• What is the wavelength range for radio waves?

  Multiple kilometers
• What is the wavelength range for gamma rays?

  Less than a thousandth of a nanometer
• What part of the electromagnetic spectrum can humans detect?

  Visible light
• What gives us the different colors we can see?

  Different wavelengths within visible light
• What mnemonic can help remember the colors of the rainbow?

  Roy G. Biv
• What comes after violet in the electromagnetic spectrum?

  Ultraviolet
• What comes before red in the electromagnetic spectrum?

  Infrared
• Which types of electromagnetic waves can be ionizing?

  Ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays
• What are the two types of electromagnetic waves used in communication?

  Microwaves and radio waves
• Where do electromagnetic waves come from?

  They come from everywhere
• What can cause gamma rays to be emitted?

  Radioactive decay
• What can cause visible light, ultraviolet, and X-rays to be emitted?

  Electrons dropping down energy levels
• What generates infrared radiation?

  Molecular vibrations
• What happens to electromagnetic waves when they come into contact with something?

  They can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted
• Can electromagnetic waves be both reflected and absorbed?

  Yes, a combination can happen
• What are the main interactions of electromagnetic waves with matter?

  • Reflection
  • Absorption
  • Transmission