waves

All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a vacuum. However, different kinds of electromagnetic waves have different wavelengths. For example, microwaves have longer wavelengths than visible light. How is it possible for both microwaves and visible light to travel at the same speed in a vacuum if they have different wavelengths?

• Microwaves and visible light have the same energy.

• Microwaves and visible light have different frequencies.

• The waves of visible light have less energy than microwaves.

• The distance between a point on one wave to the identical point on the next wave is the same for both microwaves and visible light.

The graph below compares the waves that are part of the electromagnetic spectrum. What can you conclude about gamma rays from the data shown in this graph?

• Gamma rays have the longest wavelength.

• Gamma rays have the narrowest range of wavelengths.

• Gamma rays and X-rays may have the same wavelength.

• Gamma rays and radio waves have the same wavelength.

Felipe was enjoying the sunny day at the beach. He told his friend Carl that he was really enjoying the warm feeling that he was getting as he sat in the Sun. Carl explained that the electromagnetic radiation was responsible for this warm feeling. Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum was responsible for making Felipe feel warm?

• gamma rays

• microwaves

• visible light

• infrared waves

The graphs below show the wavelengths of four types of electromagnetic waves. Which graph most likely illustrates radio waves?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Visible light consists of electromagnetic waves that humans can see. Which color of visible light has the lowest frequency?

• blue

• red

• violet

• yellow

The diagram below represents waves from the electromagnetic spectrum. Assume that the diagram above shows infrared radiation. How would a diagram showing X-rays be different?

• The distance indicated by D would be longer.

• The distance indicated by C would be shorter.

• The point represented by A would not be present.

• The point represented by B would be at the top of each wave.

Both radio and television signals are carried by radio waves. What other type of electromagnetic radiation is used to send information over long distances?

• X-rays

• microwaves

• gamma rays

• ultraviolet light

These graphs show two different types of electromagnetic radiation. If Graph I shows ultraviolet radiation, what type of electromagnetic radiation would Graph II show?

• infrared light

• microwaves

• violet light

• X-rays

Infrared and ultraviolet light are both part of the electromagnetic spectrum. How is infrared light different from ultraviolet light?

• Only ultraviolet light comes from the Sun.

• Only ultraviolet light travels at the speed of light.

• Infrared light has a higher frequency than ultraviolet light.

• Infrared light has longer wavelengths than ultraviolet light.

These graphs show three types of electromagnetic radiation. If Graph III shows ultraviolet light, then which statement about the other two graphs would be correct?

• Graph I would show X-rays.

• Graph II would show visible light.

• Graph I would show infrared light.

• Graph II would show microwaves.