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The Electromagnetic Spectrum. Wavelength/frequency/energy. Teacher Page. Content: Physical Science—The Electromagnetic Spectrum Grade Level: High School Creator: Dorothy Walk Curriculum Objectives: SC 1; Intro Phys/Chem IV.A (waves). What is it?.
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The Electromagnetic Spectrum Wavelength/frequency/energy The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Teacher Page • Content: Physical Science—The Electromagnetic Spectrum • Grade Level: High School • Creator: Dorothy Walk • Curriculum Objectives: SC 1; Intro Phys/Chem IV.A (waves) The Electromagnetic Spectrum
What is it? • The electromagnetic spectrum is the complete spectrum or continuum of light including radio waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet light, X-rays and gamma rays • An electromagnetic wave consists of electric and magnetic fields which vibrates thus making waves. The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Waves • Properties of waves include speed, frequency and wavelength • Speed (s), frequency (f) and wavelength (l) are related in the formula l x f = s • All light travels at a speed of 3 s 108 m/s in a vacuum The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Wavelength, Frequency and Energy • Since all light travels at the same speed, wavelength and frequency have an indirect relationship. • Light with a short wavelength will have a high frequency and light with a long wavelength will have a low frequency. • Light with short wavelengths has high energy and long wavelength has low energy The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Radio waves • Low energy waves with long wavelengths • Includes FM, AM, radar and TV waves • Wavelengths of 10-1m and longer • Low frequency • Used in many devices such as remote control items, cell phones, wireless devices, etc. The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Microwaves • Longer than radio, shorter than light and infrared • Wavelength 1 x 10 - 4 m to 1 x 10-1 m • First used in radar, now used in communication, medicine and consumer use (microwave ovens) The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Invisible electromagnetic waves that are detected as heat Can be detected with special devices such as night goggles Used in heat lamps Higher energy than microwaves but lower than visible light Infrared waves The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Visible Light • The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that human eyes can detect • ROY G BIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) • Red is the lowest frequency and violet is the highest frequency The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Ultraviolet waves • Higher energy than light waves • Can cause skin cancer and blindness in humans • Used in tanning beds and sterilizing equipment The Electromagnetic Spectrum
X-Rays • High energy waves • First discovered by Roentgen • Used in medicine, industry and astronomy • Can cause cancer The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Gamma rays • Highest energy • Blocked from Earth’s surface by atmosphere The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Time to think….. • 1. What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength? • 2. What is meant by ‘spectrum’? • 3. What does ROY G BIV mean? The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Now, let’s really think • 4. Can you actually see x-rays? • Support your answer. • 5. Which color is more energetic, red or yellow? • 6. Which type of wave travels faster, gamma or radio? • 7. Why are microwaves more dangerous than radio waves? The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Think about it…. • You have just been involved in a traffic incident that leaves you stranded on the side of the road. Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum would be of the most use to you and why? The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Answers • 1. Frequency and wavelength are properties of waves and since speed is constant for em waves, as frequency increases, wavelength decreases. • 2. Spectrum is a continuum of all electromagnetic waves • 3, ROY G BIV is the difference colors of the visible light in order of longest wavelength to shortest wavelength. • 4. X-rays can not be seen, only the waves in the visible light portion are visible. • 5. Yellow is higher energy than red because it has a shorter wavelength and higher frequency. • 6. Both travel at the same speed, 300,000 km/s (all em waves travel at the same speed) • 7. Microwaves have a higher frequency than radio and carry more energy. The Electromagnetic Spectrum