Electromagnetic Waves

• What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

  Range of electromagnetic waves
• What type of waves are electromagnetic waves?

  Transverse waves
• How do electromagnetic waves oscillate?

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

  $3 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}$
• How do electromagnetic waves behave in different mediums?

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

  Change in direction of the wave
• 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 range of wavelengths for radio waves?

  Multiple kilometers
• What is the range of wavelengths 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
  • Red
  • Orange
  • Yellow
  • Green
  • Blue
  • Indigo
  • Violet
• 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 sources of electromagnetic waves?

  • Radioactive decay (gamma rays)
  • Electron transitions (visible light, UV, X-rays)
  • Molecular vibrations (infrared radiation)
• How do electromagnetic waves travel across the universe?

  Through empty space
• What can happen when electromagnetic waves come into contact with something?

  They can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted
• What might happen to electromagnetic waves when they interact with matter?

  Combination of reflection, absorption, or transmission