Electromagnetic Spectrum and Refraction Flashcards
What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
A continuous range of wavelengths. The types of radiation that occur in different parts of the spectrum have different uses and dangers, which depend on their wavelength and frequency.
How can white light be split up?
Using a prism to form a spectrum. The light waves are refracted as they enter and leave the prism. The shorter the wavelength of the light, the more it is refracted. As a result, red light is refracted the least and violet light is refracted the most, causing the coloured light to spread out to form a spectrum.
What is visible light?
Visible light is just one type of electromagnetic radiation. There are various types of electromagnetic radiation, some with longer wavelengths than visible light and some with shorter wavelengths than visible light.
Explain radio waves.
They have the longest wavelength, the lowest amount of energy, the lowest frequency and are used for television signals.
What are the typical uses of microwaves?
Microwaves are used for cooking and mobile phone signals.
What are the typical uses for infrared radiation?
Infrared radiation is used for optical fibre communication.
What are the typical uses for visible light?
Visible light is used for seeing.
What are the typical uses for ultraviolet rays?
Ultraviolet rays are used for detecting forged bank notes.
What are the typical uses for x-rays?
X-rays are used for medical images of bones.
Explain gamma rays.
They have the shortest wavelength, the biggest amount of energy, the highest frequency and are used for killing cancer cells.
What types of radiation from the electromagnetic spectrum can be used for communication?
Microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light and radio waves.
