OZ 7 - Energy and Matter

Question 1

How do electromagnetic waves interact with orbital electrons?

Answer 1

UV and visible light waves are absorbed by the electrons in the shells of atoms, these electrons will be excited to a higher energy level, this can sometimes cause bonds to be broken

Question 2

What is the relation between the wavelength and frequency of an electromagnetic wave?

Answer 2

lambda = c / f
c = the speed of light = 3 x 10^8 ms-1
f = the frequency of the electromagnetic wave in Hz
lambda = the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave in m

Question 3

How is the energy of an electromagnetic wave calculated?

Answer 3

E = hf
E = the energy of the wave in J
f = the frequency of the wave in Hz
h = the planck constant = 6.63 x 10^-34