Electromagnetic spectrum

• What is the main topic of the Entry Level Certificate learning objectives?

  Electromagnetic waves
• What should you know after studying this topic?

  The order of the groups in the electromagnetic spectrum
• What are the similarities and differences between the groups in the electromagnetic spectrum?


  They are all electromagnetic waves but differ in wavelength and frequency
• What are the hazardous effects of some electromagnetic waves on human tissue?

  Some can cause mutations in living cells
• What type of waves are electromagnetic waves?

  Transverse waves
• How do microwaves transfer energy in a microwave oven?

  By transferring energy to food, which heats it up
• What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?

  300,000,000 m/s
• How do electromagnetic waves behave in air compared to a vacuum?

  They travel at the same speed in both air and a vacuum
• Which group of the electromagnetic spectrum has the longest wavelength?

  Red light
• Which colour of visible light has the shortest wavelength?

  Violet light
• What type of radiation is gamma radiation?

  A type of ionising radiation
• What determines the level of danger from electromagnetic radiation?

  The frequency of the radiation and the size of the dose
• Which three groups of the electromagnetic spectrum can harm living cells?

  Gamma rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet radiation
• How can the groups of the electromagnetic spectrum be ordered?

  By wavelength or by frequency
• If you wanted to investigate how the frequency of visible light affects the ability to see objects, what would you do?

  Conduct an experiment in a room with different colored lights
• What are the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum grouped by?

  Frequency
• What type of waves are all electromagnetic waves?

  Transverse waves
• What is the relationship between gamma rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet radiation in terms of health hazards?

  They are all hazardous to human health
• What does the level of danger from electromagnetic waves depend on?

  The frequency of the radiation and the size of the dose
• What is the term used to describe the arrangement of all groups of electromagnetic waves?

  The electromagnetic spectrum
• What is the significance of the continuous spectrum of electromagnetic waves?

  It shows the range of wavelengths and frequencies of electromagnetic radiation
• How would you conduct an investigation on how well humans see in different colored light?

  By testing visibility of objects under various colored lights