The ElectroMagnetic Spectrum Flashcards
What types of waves are electromagnetic waves?
Transverse
What do electromagnetic waves transfer?
Energy (not matter).
What type of spectrum do electromagnetic waves form?
A continuous spectrum.
List the order of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing wavelength
Gamma, X Ray, UV, Visible, Infrared, Microwaves, Radio
What is the highest frequency electromagnetic wave?
Gamma waves
What is the highest energy electromagnetic wave?
Gamma waves
What properties are shared by all electromagnetic waves?
● They are all transverse waves
● They all travel at the same speed (3x10⁸ m/s)
● They can travel through a vacuum
What range of frequencies of electromagnetic waves can be detected by the human eye?
400-700 nanometres
How do the speeds of EM radiation differ in a vacuum and in air?
Electromagnetic waves all travel at the same speed in a vacuum and in air.
What can happen when radiation strikes an object?
It can be…
● transmitted
● reflected
● absorbed