SP3i Electromagnetic Waves and the Spectrum

Question 1

Electromagnetic waves?

Answer 1

transverse waves that transfer energy from the source of the waves to an absorber.

Question 2

Properties of all electromagnetic waves (3).

Answer 2

.all transverse
.all travel through a vacuum
.all travel at the same speed in a vacuum

Question 3

There are 7 types of electromagnetic waves, which all together form ?

Answer 3

a continuous spectrum

Question 4

Sort electromagnetic waves in order from longest wavelength/smallest frequency to shortest wavelength/biggest frequency (7).

Answer 4

.radio waves
.micro-waves
.infrared
.visible light
.ultraviolet
.x-rays
.gamma rays

Question 5

Wavelengths might be transmitted, reflected, refracted or absorbed. What happens depends on ? (2)

Answer 5

.wavelength of the waves
.the material the wave is travelling through

Question 6

Why do EM waves sometimes undergo refraction?

Answer 6

due to difference in velocity of the waves in different substances.

Question 7

What happens if electromagnetic waves encounter certain materials (such as water) in a vacuum?

Answer 7

they will slow down. How much they slow down depends on the density of that material.

Question 8

What does the slowing of electromagnetic waves cause?

Answer 8

it causes them to refract.