Electromagnetic radiation Flashcards
What is the definition of electromagnetic radiation?
Electromagnetic radiation is energy that travels in waves across space as well as through matter.
What are the components of the electromagnetic spectrum?
The electromagnetic spectrum includes:
* gamma rays
* X-rays
* ultraviolet
* visible light
* infrared
* microwaves
* radio waves
What is the speed at which all electromagnetic waves travel?
The speed of light.
What is wavelength in the context of electromagnetic waves?
Wavelength is the distance between two corresponding points on adjacent waves.
What is wave frequency?
Wave frequency is the number of waves that pass a fixed point in a given amount of time.
How are wavelength and frequency related in electromagnetic waves?
Electromagnetic waves with shorter wavelengths have higher frequencies and more energy.
What is solar radiation?
Solar radiation is the energy from the Sun that reaches the Earth, part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum.
How do plants utilize radiant energy?
Plants absorb radiant energy in the form of visible light and use it to perform photosynthesis, transforming light energy into chemical energy.
What type of wave is electromagnetic radiation?
Electromagnetic radiation consists of transverse waves.
What is unique about the travel of electromagnetic waves compared to mechanical waves?
Electromagnetic waves can travel through empty space, also known as a vacuum.
What are the two types of fields that make up an electromagnetic wave?
Electric fields and magnetic fields.
True or False: All types of electromagnetic radiation travel at different speeds.
False.
Fill in the blank: The energy transmitted by various wavelengths of radiant energy may be converted to other forms of energy only after it is _______.
absorbed by matter.
What are the enduring understandings regarding electromagnetic radiation?
The sun gives off radiant energy of all frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum.
* The energy transmitted by various wavelengths may be converted to other forms only after absorption by matter.
* Electromagnetic radiation consists of changing electric and magnetic fields.
* All types of electromagnetic radiation travel at the speed of light but differ in frequencies.
