Speed of Sound, Refraction and EM Waves

• What is refraction in wave physics?

  Change of direction when crossing a boundary
• What happens to a wave's speed when it slows down during refraction?

  The wavelength decreases
• What remains constant when a wave refracts?

  The frequency never changes
• How does the angle of incidence relate to the angle of refraction?

  They are related through Snell's law
• What are the main characteristics of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum?

  • Continuous range of wavelengths
  • Increasing frequency, decreasing wavelength
  • Includes radio, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays
• What type of waves are electromagnetic waves?

  Transverse waves
• How do electromagnetic waves transfer energy?

  From a visible light source to an absorber
• At what speed do electromagnetic waves travel in air or vacuum?

  At the same speed
• What creates gamma rays?

  Changes in an atom's nucleus
• What is the order of the electromagnetic spectrum from lowest to highest frequency?

  Radio, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma
• How does the wavelength of electromagnetic waves change across the spectrum?

  It decreases as frequency increases
• What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength in electromagnetic waves?

  Higher frequency means shorter wavelength
• What is the visible light range in the electromagnetic spectrum?

  Between infrared and ultraviolet
• What happens to wave fronts after refraction?

  They become closer together
• How does the speed of sound compare to the speed of electromagnetic waves?

  EM waves travel faster than sound