Electromagnetic Spectrum

What part of the electromagnetic spectrum can be seen by humans?

• Visible Light

• Microwaves

• Ultraviolet Waves

• Infrared Waves

The different types of electromagnetic radiation are usually organized on the electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves to gamma waves. Why are they arranged in this order?

• They are arranged in order of decreasing energy

• They are arranged in order of decreasing frequency

• They are arranged in order of how useful the light is

• They are arranged in order of decreasing wavelength

The diagram below shows the electromagnetic spectrum. Which letters represent radio and gamma waves?

• A F

• F C

• A G

• C G

Electromagnetic radiation from the sun comes in all forms. Scientists have found ways to use the electromagnetic waves to study different characteristics of objects in space. Which of the following correctly pairs an electromagnetic wave with a way that it is used in space exploration?

• Radio waves are used to evaluate the sound qualities of planets throughout our Solar System.

• Infrared waves are used to evaluate the temperature of planets throughout our Solar System.

• Visible light waves are used to evaluate the mountain height of planets throughout our Solar System.

• Gamma rays are used to evaluate thickness of atmospheres of planets throughout our Solar System.

Meg is barbequing hamburgers on the grill. She notices that the coals are ready for cooking because she feels the warmth of the coals and sees that they are glowing red. What types of electromagnetic waves is she detecting?

• infrared waves and visible light waves

• gamma rays and infrared waves

• visible light and ultraviolet waves

• ultraviolet waves and gamma rays

In the electromagnetic spectrum, which of the following is true of waves with long wavelengths?

• They have high frequencies

• They have low frequencies

• They have moderate frequencies

• They have inconsistent frequencies

Sunscreen bottles often include the phrase: “Protects against UVA and UVB waves.” This refers to ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun. Which of the following is true of ultraviolet radiation?

• Ultraviolet radiation has shorter wavelengths than x-rays, therefore it is more dangerous than xrays.

• Ultraviolet radiation has longer wavelengths than infrared light, therefore it is more dangerous than infrared light.

• Ultraviolet radiation has shorter wavelengths than visible light, therefore it is more dangerous than visible light.

• Ultraviolet radiation has longer wavelengths than gamma radiation, therefore it is more dangerous than gamma radiation.

A rainbow is sunlight disbursed into a spectrum of colors ranging from red to violet. When you are facing a rainbow, the sun is always behind you, the rain is in the direction of the rainbow, and the arc of the rainbow is directly opposite the sun. Which statement best describes the formation of a rainbow?

• Tiny water droplets absorb the light waves that strike them disbursing the light into colored arcs.

• Light travels faster after the rain due to increased moisture in the air.

• Light in absorbed by the tiny water droplets in the atmosphere.

• The water droplets in the air refract the light waves separating the light into colored arcs.

Our eyes detect light that lies only within a small region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This region is called visible light. Which of these statements describes the visible spectrum of light as seen by the human eye?

• The lowest frequency appears red, and the highest frequency appears violet.

• The lowest frequency appears green, and the highest frequency appears red.

• The lowest frequency appears blue, and the highest frequency appears orange.

• The lowest frequency appears yellow, and the highest frequency appears green.

Electromagnetic waves come in many different wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths carry more energy and penetrate further through materials. People wear sunblock to prevent UV waves from damaging their skin cells. Which kind of wave has enough energy to pass through skin and damage cells on the inside of the body?

• Visible Light

• Infrared

• Gamma Rays

• Radio Waves