3.1 Nature's Fireworks and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Question 1

A continuous range of radiant energy that includes gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, and radio waves.

Answer 1

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Question 2

Used for radar and in microwave ovens (efficiently absorbed by water).

Answer 2

Microwaves

Question 3

Which of the following types of electromagnetic radiation has shorter frequencies than visible light?

X-Rays

Microwaves

Gamma Rays

Infrared Radiation

Ultraviolet Light

Radio Waves

Answer 3

Microwaves

Infrared Radiation

Radio Waves

Question 4

Which of the following types of electromagnetic radiation has higher frequencies than visible light?

X-Rays

Microwaves

Gamma Rays

Infrared Radiation

Ultraviolet Light

Radio Waves

Answer 4

X-Rays

Gamma Rays

Ultraviolet Light

Question 5

A region of space where a magnetic particle experiences a force (space around a magnet).

Answer 5

Magnetic Field

Question 6

The distance between successive crests.

Answer 6

Wavelength

Question 7

Waves can be described as these four things.

Answer 7

Amplitude, Wavelength, Frequency, and Speed

Question 8

Has wavelengths from 400nm to 750nm and is the chemical reaction that your eyes perceive.

Answer 8

Visible Light

Question 9

If the radio waves transmitted by a radio station have a frequency of 71.5 MHz, what is the wavelength of the waves, in meters?

Answer 9

First, we convert to Hz

71.5MHz x (1x10⁶ Hz)

Using the equation λ = c / ν

(3.00 x 10⁸ m/s) / (7.15 x 10⁷ s^-1 )

=4.1958 = 4.20m

Question 10

The ______ of light determines its color.

Answer 10

Wavelength

Question 11

Any form of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Answer 11

Electromagnetic Radiation

Question 12

The SI unit of frequency with units of reciprocal seconds: 1 Hz = 1 s^-1= 1 cycle per second (cps)

Answer 12

Hertz(Hz)

Question 13

The height of a wave (from its origin to its crest or peak).

Answer 13

Amplitude

Question 14

Which radiation has the longest wavelength?

A. Radio waves from an AM radio station broadcasting at 680 kHz

B. Infrared radiation emitted by the surface of Earth (λ = 15 mm)

C. Microwave radiation used to warm food (2.45 GHz)

D. There is not enough information to answer this.

Answer 14

A. Radio waves from an AM radio station broadcasting at 680 kHz

Question 15

How fast a wave oscillates up and down or the number of times a light wave completes a cycle of up and down motion in one second.

Answer 15

Frequency

Question 16

A region of space where an electrically charged particle experiences a force.

Answer 16

Electric Field

Question 17

According to this scientist’s theory, electromagnetic radiation moves through space (or any transparent medium) as waves with two perpendicular components: an oscillating magnetic field and an oscillating magnetic field.

Answer 17

James Clark Maxwell

Question 18

The heat you feel when holding your hands near a hot object.

Answer 18

Infrared Radiation

Question 19

Speed of Light is given as

Answer 19

3.00 x 10⁸ m/s