Electromagnetic Spectrum Flashcards
List the EM waves in order of highest to lowest frequency.
Gamma waves, X-rays. Ultraviolet, ROYGBIV (Color spectrum), Infrared waves, Microwaves, Radiowaves.
What are Electromagnetic Waves (EM)?
Electromagnetic waves are waves of combined electric and magnetic energy that travel through space. There are different types of EM waves, ranging from Gamma waves, to colors, to infrared waves.
What does wavelength refer to?
Wavelength refers to how long the wave is.
What is the relation between frequency and energy?
Waves that have a higher frequency carry more energy.
What does radiation refer to?
Radiation is the emission or transmission of waves or particles, without a medium/through a vacuum
What are the uses of Radiowaves?
Radiowaves can bend through people and objects, having the longest wavelength in the EM spectrum. AM/FM towers encode messages within this energy that cars pick up as the radio.
What are the uses of Microwaves?
Microwaves have a long wavelength and can pass through people and objects, which is useful for transmitting signals from phones to computers, such as for WiFi or GPS, which also require more energy to transmit all the data. Microwaves can also heat up food.
What are the uses of Infrared waves?
Infrared waves are sensed as heat that can be seen through special goggles, which are helpful for police officers and firefighters where there is a lot of smoke and fire.
What are the uses of Ultraviolet waves?
UV waves are emitted by the sun and can help provide Vitamin D, however, prolonged exposure can cause sunburns.
What are the uses of X-rays?
X-rays are most commonly used by doctors and dentists to check our bones, but can also be used to scan luggage, and can be dangerous to humans in large doses.
What are the uses of Gamma Rays?
Gamma rays can be used to kill bacteria and organisms, or to scan, but can also be used as treatments for some diseases despite being very dangerous to humans.
