Electromagnetic waves

• What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

  It is the range of all electromagnetic waves
• What happens to white light when it passes through a prism?

  It splits into a spectrum of colors
• What type of waves are electromagnetic waves?

  Transverse waves
• How do electromagnetic waves transfer energy?

  From the source to an absorber
• What do solar panels do with light waves?

  They absorb energy from the Sun
• What part of the electromagnetic spectrum can humans detect?

  Visible light
• How does the frequency of waves change across the electromagnetic spectrum?

  It increases from radio waves to gamma rays
• What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum?

  Wavelength decreases as frequency increases
• What is the mnemonic to remember the order of the electromagnetic spectrum?

  Raw meat is very unsanitary except giraffe
• What does it mean that the electromagnetic spectrum is a continuous spectrum?

  There are no clear cutoff points between waves
• Can electromagnetic waves travel through a vacuum?

  Yes, they do not need a medium
• What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?

  $3 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}$
• How do different materials interact with electromagnetic waves?

  They absorb, transmit, or reflect waves
• Why are microwaves absorbed by food?

  Food contains water molecules
• How do microwaves interact with metals?

  Microwaves are reflected by metals
• How do light waves interact with black surfaces?

  Light waves are absorbed by black surfaces
• How do light waves interact with shiny metallic surfaces?

  Light waves are reflected from shiny surfaces
• What are the different types of waves in the electromagnetic spectrum in order of wavelength and frequency?

  • Radio waves
  • Microwaves
  • Infrared
  • Visible light
  • Ultraviolet light
  • X-rays
  • Gamma rays
• What are the key characteristics of electromagnetic waves?

  • They are transverse waves
  • They transfer energy from source to absorber
  • They can travel through a vacuum
  • They travel at the same speed in a vacuum
• What are the absorption characteristics of different materials for electromagnetic waves?

  • Microwaves: absorbed by water-containing foods
  • Metals: reflect microwaves
  • Black surfaces: absorb light waves
  • Shiny surfaces: reflect light waves