Electromagnetic Spectrum

Wave - Review
Waves are oscillations that transport energy.
2 Types of waves:

Mechanical waves that require a medium to travel

through

(sound, water, earthquakes)

Electromagnetic waves that do not require a medium to

travel

(light)

Nature of Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves:
are waves that travel without a medium. (They can travel
through empty space)
They travel as vibrations in electrical and magnetic fields.

Speed of electromagnetic waves = 300,000,000 m/s

OR 300,000km/s

Takes light 8 minutes to move from the sun to earth {93 million
miles} at this speed.

Vocabulary Recap/Help Page

Wavelength The distance from crest to

crest of a wave. How long the wave is in

meters.
Frequency The number of waves that

pass a point in one second. Determines

the energy a wave has. Measured in
Hertz.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Electromagnetic SpectrumConsists of waves at
all possible energies, frequencies, and wavelengths.
They are placed in order of increasing frequency

So what do we notice about the wave as we move

further right on our diagram?

Radio Waves
Radio waves have the longest wavelengths and lowest

frequency in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Wavelengths range from .1m to 100km

Used by Radios, TVs, RADAR systems, Cell Phones

Each radio station broadcasts in a different frequency
Cellular phones use radio waves that are much smaller than TV
and FM radio waves.

Microwaves
Used by long range communications,

microwaves, cell phones, pagers,

wireless networks, bluetooth, some
radar detectors.

A microwave oven works by passing

microwave radiation, through the food,

and absorbed by the water/fat/sugar in
the food.

The energy causes the food particles to vibrate

against each other.
Whats the by product of things rubbing
together???

THERMAL ENERGY!

Infrared Light (below red)

IR light from the sun is what keeps you warm

Uses: remote controls, the bottom of your mouse,

night vision, target acquisition and tracking by the

military and short-ranged wireless communication.
Thermography:
test method that records
thermal patterns and
temperatures across
the surface of an object.

Warm objects give off

more energy than cold
objects

Visible Light
The ONLY portion of the

EMS which can be detected

by the human eye.
Some colors like brown,
pink, and magenta are not
present, but are a blend of
different wavelengths.

White light can be broken

down into each of the individual
colors by using a prism.
In science, primary colors are
Red, Blue, Green
In art, primary colors are Red,
Blue, Yellow

WHY - http://www.weather.gov.hk/education/edu06nature/ele_colour_e.htm

Ultraviolet
(beyond violet)
UV Light carries more energy than visible light
Because of absorption in the atmospheres ozone

layer, more harmful types of UV light is blocked.

This type of wave is what causes your skin to tan
and burn.

Used in tanning beds and black lights

Too much can cause skin cancer.
Some birds (birds of prey) and bees can see in the UV light spectrum
Used to kill bacteria. (Sterilization of equipment)
Causes your skin to produce vitamin D

(good for teeth and bones in moderation)

Use sun block to protect against (UV rays)

UV rays are also what cause sun bleaching
when certain materials are left outside

X-Rays
Waves longer than gamma,

shorter than ultraviolet.

Widely used in medical
imaging.

Carry a great deal of energy

Has enough energy to pass

the less dense tissues but

not bone.

Teeth and Bones absorb x-rays

Too much exposure can

cause cancer

Gamma Rays
Smallest Wavelength (Highest Frequency) =

MOST ENERGY of entire EMS

Gamma rays are the most dangerous form of
radiation emitted by a nuclear explosion
Due to their high energy content, they are able to
cause serious damage when absorbed by living
cells.
Naturally occur in:

Radioisotopes on Earth

(Radium, carbon-14, uranium-235, etc)

Fission and fusion reactions

produce it
Sun spots (most all of radiation
absorbed by atmosphere)

What type of electromagnetic waves have the most energy?

What type has the longest wavelength?
What type has the highest frequency?

What visible light has the longest wavelength?

What visible light has the lowest frequency?