The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Question 1

What types of waves are electromagnetic waves?

Answer 1

Transverse

Question 2

What do electromagnetic waves transfer?

Answer 2

Energy (not matter)

Question 3

What type of spectrum do electromagnetic waves form?

Answer 3

A continuous spectrum

Question 4

List the order of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing waves.

Answer 4

Gamma, X-Ray, UV, Visible, Infrared, Microwaves, Radio

Question 5

What is the highest frequency electromagnetic wave?

Answer 5

Gamma waves

Question 6

What is the highest energy electromagnetic wave?

Answer 6

Gamma waves

Question 7

What properties are shared by all electromagnetic waves?

Answer 7

• They are all transverse waves
• They all travel at the same speed
• They can travel through a vacuum

Question 8

What range of frequencies of electromagnetic waves can be detected by the human eye?

Answer 8

400-700 nanometres

Question 9

How do the speeds of EM radiation differ in a vacuum and in air?

Answer 9

Electromagnetic waves all travel at the same speed in a vacuum and in air

Question 10

What can happen when radiation strikes an object?

Answer 10

It can be…
- transmitted
- reflected
- absorbed