Electromagnetic waves

Front

What are electromagnetic waves?

Back

Electromagnetic waves are waves that can travel through the vacuum of space and consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. They include radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Front

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

Back

The electromagnetic spectrum is the complete range of electromagnetic waves arranged in order of increasing frequency or decreasing wavelength.

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

Wavelength is the distance between successive crests of a wave, typically measured in meters.

Front

What is frequency?

Back

Frequency is the number of waves that pass a given point in one second, measured in hertz (Hz).

Front

What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

Back

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related; as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa.

Front

What type of electromagnetic wave has a wavelength of about 10^3 meters?

Back

Radio waves.

Front

What type of electromagnetic wave has a wavelength of about 10^-5 meters?

Back

Infrared waves.

Front

List the electromagnetic waves in order of increasing wavelength.

Back

Gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet rays, visible light, infrared rays, microwaves, radio waves.

Front

Which electromagnetic waves have wavelengths longer than microwaves?

Back

Radio waves.

Front

What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?

Back

The speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (or about 300,000 km/s).