Electromagnetic waves

Question 1

Are electromagnetic (EM) waves longitudinal or transverse waves?

Answer 1

transverse

Question 2

Explain why EM waves are not mechanical waves.

Answer 2

they can travel through a vacuum (don’t need a substance to travel through)

Question 3

What do EM waves transfer from their source to an absorber?

Answer 3

energy

Question 4

List the different types of waves in the EM spectrum in order of decreasing wavelength (increasing frequency).

Answer 4

radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma

Question 5

State which part of the EM spectrum humans can see

Answer 5

visible light

Question 6

Describe how electromagnetic waves can be produced

Answer 6

changes inside an atom/atomic nucleus

Question 7

Describe how gamma rays are produced

Answer 7

changes in the nucleus of an atom, for example duringradioactive decay

Question 8

Describe how radio waves are produced

Answer 8

oscillations in an electrical circuit

Question 9

Explain how radio waves are detected

Answer 9

waves are absorbed and create an alternating current with the same frequency as the radio wave