Electromagnetic Spectrum

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Electromagnetic Spectrum Noun

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[eh-lek-tro-mag-net-ik spek-trum]

Back

Electromagnetic Spectrum

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The entire range of electromagnetic waves when placed in order of increasing frequency, representing all forms of radiant energy.

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Example: This diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum, arranging waves like radio, microwaves, and X-rays by their wavelength, from longest to shortest.

Front

Electromagnetic Wave Noun

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[eh-lek-tro-mag-net-ik wayv]

Back

Electromagnetic Wave

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A transverse wave that can travel through a vacuum and exhibits properties of both a wave and a particle.

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Example: Electromagnetic waves, shown here as radiation from the sun, are a form of energy that can travel through the vacuum of space to reach Earth.

Front

Wavelength Noun

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[wayv-length]

Back

Wavelength

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The distance measured from the crest of one wave to the crest of the next successive wave in a series.

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Example: This diagram shows a wave and labels its wavelength as the distance from one crest (the highest point) to the next crest.

Front

Frequency Noun

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[free-kwen-see]

Back

Frequency

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The number of complete waves or cycles that pass a specific point in a given amount of time, usually one second.

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Example: The image shows wave patterns to explain frequency as the number of waves per second.

Front

Photon Noun

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[fo-ton]

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Photon

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A tiny particle or discrete bundle of light energy, representing the particle nature of electromagnetic radiation.

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Example: This diagram shows photons, which are packets of light energy, striking a metal surface and knocking electrons loose, demonstrating how light can behave like a particle.

Front

Speed of Light Noun

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[speed uv lyte]

Back

Speed of Light

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The constant speed at which all electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum, approximately 300,000,000 meters per second.

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Example: This diagram shows that it takes light 499 seconds to travel the distance from the Sun to the Earth, illustrating the immense but finite speed of light.

Front

Transverse Wave Noun

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[trans-vurs wayv]

Back

Transverse Wave

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A wave in which the medium's oscillation is perpendicular to the direction of the energy transfer.

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Example: This diagram shows a transverse wave, labeling its key parts: the highest point (peak), lowest point (trough), height from center (amplitude), and length (wavelength).

Front

Vacuum Noun

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[vak-yoom]

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Vacuum

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A space that is entirely devoid of matter, through which electromagnetic waves can travel without a medium.

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Example: The vast emptiness of space is a vacuum, a region with almost no matter, which allows electromagnetic waves like light from stars to travel through it.

Front

Radio Waves Noun

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[ray-dee-oh wayvz]

Back

Radio Waves

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The type of electromagnetic wave with the longest wavelengths and lowest frequencies in the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

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Example: The image shows radio waves as part of the electromagnetic spectrum, helping students understand their place among other types of waves.

Front

Microwaves Noun

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[my-kro-wayvz]

Back

Microwaves

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High-frequency radio waves with shorter wavelengths than other radio waves, used for heating food and in communications.

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Example: The diagram shows how a magnetron generates microwaves, which cause water molecules in food to vibrate rapidly, creating the heat that cooks the food.